Bird of the day
Flores scops owl
Otus alfredi
The Flores scops owl (Otus alfredi) is an owl endemic to the island of Flores, Indonesia. It is threatened by habitat loss. This owl is around 19–21 cm from head to tail. They are a forest dwelling owl that is smallish in size. Some 250–2,499 individuals are estimated to be extant in the wild, dwindling due to habitat loss.
The Flores scops owl is a small and compact owl. The species has short, rounded, and broad ear-tufts and a white vermiculation on the forehead. It has an orange-yellow beak, located above which are long and reddish rictal bristles, similar to mammalian whiskers. It possesses a red-brown facial outline, dark rufous feathers along the side of the neck with white bases, small white triangles on its hind-neck and white scapular spots with brown tips. It has a tiny tail that is barely visible, dense feathers on the legs, and dark orange-yellow claws.
Aliases
otus alfredi, flores scops-owl