[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Otus alius | [authority] Rasmussen, 1998 | [UK] Nicobar Scops Owl | [FR] Petit-duc de Nicobar | [DE] Nicobareule | [ES] Autillo de Nicobar | [NL] Nicobar-schreeuwuil
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Region | Range |
| Otus | alius | OR | Nicobar Islands |
Genus
Members of the genus Otus are the Scops and Screech owls. They are relatively small owls, with short, rounded wings. Most have erectile ear-tufts. Otus is a worldwide genus, containing some 45 species.
Physical charateristics
A small scops owl, warm brown in color and finely barred above. Tufts lightly barred, facial disk paler with indistinct rim. Iris yellow, bill brownish.
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 19 | cm | size max.: | 20 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 0 | days | incubation max.: | 0 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 0 | ||
| eggs max.: | 0 |
Range
Oriental Region : Nicobar Islands
Habitat
Only two specimen were ever collected of this mysterious owl, both in coastal forest habitat.
Reproduction
No data
Feeding habits
Said to feed on insects and small vertebrates
Conservation
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats
Otus alius is known from two specimens collected at Campbell Bay on Great Nicobar, the largest of the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. It may occur on other islands in the group, particularly Little Nicobar, but equally may be endemic to Great Nicobar, and perhaps restricted in range on that island. The more northerly islands of the group have been well surveyed without evidence of its presence. As threats to its presumed habitat of coastal forest have increased following the devastating 2004 tsunami the species may require uplisting on a precautionary basis based on predicted future declines in habitat
Otus alius is known from two specimens collected at Campbell Bay on Great Nicobar, the largest of the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. It may occur on other islands in the group, particularly Little Nicobar, but equally may be endemic to Great Nicobar, and perhaps restricted in range on that island. The more northerly islands of the group have been well surveyed without evidence of its presence. As threats to its presumed habitat of coastal forest have increased following the devastating 2004 tsunami the species may require uplisting on a precautionary basis based on predicted future declines in habitat
Migration
Resident
Distribution map
