Image via Macaulay Library
Principe Scops-Owl
- Scientific name
- Otus bikegila
- Family
- Strigidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Principe Scops-Owl, scientifically classified as Otus bikegila, is a small owl endemic to Príncipe, a volcanic island in the Gulf of Guinea. Its existence as a distinct species remained unknown to science until its formal description in 2022, though local residents had long been aware of its presence, referring to it by the name 'bulo'. The discovery was the result of extensive fieldwork and bioacoustic research conducted by an international team of ornithologists, which confirmed that the owl’s unique 'tuuu' call distinguished it from other Scops-owls in the region.
The design of this owl is characterized by its compact, rounded wing and tail shapes, which are well-adapted for short-burst flights within the dense, humid forest canopy of its island home. Its plumage displays a mottled, camouflage-patterned coloration that mimics the mossy bark of the island's trees, a defensive evolution that allows it to remain virtually invisible to predators and prey alike. The species is currently considered critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range, making the study of its biology and habitat a primary focus for contemporary conservationists.
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About Principe Scops-Owl
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