- Otus megalotis
Identification
20 cm (8 ins)
Eyes face forward, orange-red rim, crown, ear tufts and feathers are dark brown, facial disk has a dark rim, forehead is pale whitish. Large erect ears.
Distribution
Found on Luzon, Catanduanes and Marinduque, Philippines.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It formerly included Negros Scops Owl and Everett's Scops Owl.
Habitat
Lowlands and the pine forests.
Behaviour
The Philippine Scops Owl lives alone or in monogamous pairs. They breed throughout the year, resulting in 1-2 eggs. They nest in trees holes of forests of the Philippines.
It preys at night on insects.
Its hooting call sounds like oik oik oik.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2011. IOC World Bird Names (version 2.10). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Birdforum thread discussing the taxonomy of Philippine Scops Owl.