Mentawai scops owl

Overview

Wikipedia

The Mentawai scops owl is endemic to larger islands of Mentawai, off west Sumatra, Indonesia.

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Distribution

Region

Sunda Islands (Mentawai Archipelago)

Typical Environment

Occurs on the larger Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra. It inhabits primary and mature secondary lowland rainforests, forest edges, and tall mixed agroforests. By day it roosts quietly in dense foliage; at night it hunts from low to mid-level perches along forest trails and clearings. It is patchy where continuous forest has been fragmented but remains locally fairly common where canopy cover persists.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 400 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size18–20 cm

Wing Span45–55 cm

Male Weight0.09 kg

Female Weight0.1 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Mentawai scops owl is endemic to the larger Mentawai Islands off western Sumatra, Indonesia. It is a shy, strictly nocturnal forest owl that is more often detected by its soft, repetitive whistles than seen. Habitat loss from logging and conversion to plantations is the main threat, though it can persist in secondary forest and well-wooded gardens.

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short, silent wingbeats

Social Behavior

Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories within forested tracts. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, with a small clutch laid at the start of the rainy season. Adults are attentive, moving quietly through understory perches when disturbed.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A soft, repeated whistle or hoot given at regular intervals, often delivered from a concealed perch. Calls may accelerate slightly in series and are most frequent at dusk and before dawn.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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