[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Mimizuku gurneyi | [authority] Tweeddale, 1879 | [UK] Giant Scops Owl | [FR] Petit duc geant | [DE] Rotohr-Eule | [ES] Buho de Mindanao | [NL] Grote Dwergooruil
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
Members of the genus Mimizuku are quite large owls. They were, for some time, regarded as part of the genus Otus , but major differences in size, appearance and habits, have caused it to be placed in a separate genus. In terms of its DNA, it is closer to Otus than it is to Bubo . There is but one species, resident in the southern part of the Philippines.
Physical charateristics
Medium-sized owl with well-developed ear-tufts. Dark eyes. Rufescent facial disc outlined in black, conspicuous white eyebrows. Rufescent-brown crown and upperparts with darker shaft streaks, barred flight feathers and pale line on scapulars. Whitish underparts, washed rufous with bold black streaks. Similar spp. Larger than all sympatric Otus species, all of which lack such bold underpart streaking. Voice Loud wuaah repeated every 10-20 seconds in series of 5-10 calls.
Listen to the sound of Giant Scops Owl
[audio:https://planetofbirds.com/MASTER/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/sounds/Giant Scops Owl.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
size min.: | 28 | cm | size max.: | 32 | cm |
incubation min.: | 0 | days | incubation max.: | 0 | days |
fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 1 | ||
eggs max.: | 3 |
Range
Oriental Region : Philippines
Habitat
It inhabits primary, secondary and selectively logged dipterocarp forests, primarily in the lowlands up to 670 m, with occasional records up to 1300 m, including in mossy forest
Reproduction
No data
Feeding habits
The Giant Scops Owl feeds mostly on small vertebrates and large insects.
Video Giant Scops Owl
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Wqln9rIIk
copyright: John Gregory
Conservation
This owl has a small population which is undergoing a rapid decline and severe fragmentation as a result of extensive deforestation. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.
Mimizuku gurneyi is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from Samar (one record), Dinagat, Siargao and Mindanao. It has a relatively widespread distribution on Mindanao, where it has been discovered at eight new sites since 1990. However, its status is uncertain and, although it is likely to be under-recorded, it is considered to be probably uncommon at best.
Mimizuku gurneyi is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from Samar (one record), Dinagat, Siargao and Mindanao. It has a relatively widespread distribution on Mindanao, where it has been discovered at eight new sites since 1990. However, its status is uncertain and, although it is likely to be under-recorded, it is considered to be probably uncommon at best.
Migration
Presumed sedentary