Biology
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A nocturnal bird, the Pemba scops-owl spends its daylight hours roosting amongst the thick foliage of trees, or in dense undergrowth about two metres above the ground (2) (4). As night falls, and with a call of 'hoo hoo hoo'(4), the owls emerge from their hiding and commence their search for food. The Pemba scops-owl feeds primarily on insects, which are swooped down on from a perch, snatched from the air in flight, or plucked off foliage (2) (5).
Almost nothing has been recorded about the breeding biology of the Pemba scops-owl (2), but it is thought to breed between August and October (4), and probably nests in natural holes in trees (2) (5).
Conservation
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The two forest patches which hold the majority of the Pemba scops-owl population, Ngezi and Msitu Mkuu (3), are both forest reserves, which may offer some degree of protection, but are unfortunately still subject to illegal exploitation (6). Undertaking in-depth population surveys, researching this species' ecology, and investigating methods of controlling illegal activities within the forest reserves are just some of the actions that have been proposed to ensure the survival of this enigmatic owl (3) (6).
Description
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Described as a 'creature of the night' (3) (4), the Pemba scops-owl is a mysterious bird, identified with witchcraft by the local inhabitants of its island home (4). Two different forms, or morphs, of the Pemba scops-owl exist: a rufous and a brown morph. Both morphs have small ear tufts, light spots on the shoulders and pale 'eyebrows' that vary in their prominence. Often there are striped markings on the wings and outer tail feathers, and the crown and underparts can be streaked (2) (5). The eyes are yellow and the black-tipped bill varies from dull green to yellow-grey (5). In keeping with its enigmatic reputation, the call of the Pemba scops-owl is a long series of monotonous, haunting notes 'hoo hoo hoo…' (2) (4).
Habitat
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On the lush and hilly island of Pemba, the scops-owl can be found in wooded areas with dense foliage, and overgrown clove and mango plantations (2) (5).
Range
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Endemic to Pemba Island, situated 50 kilometres off the coast of northern Tanzania (2) (5).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).
Threats
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Although the Pemba scops-owl had been thought of as common and widespread, a survey undertaken in 2004 found this to be incorrect, and discovered that it was only common in native forest, a habitat that makes up less than two percent of the island. The Pemba scops-owl was found to occur mainly in two tiny patches of natural forest, Ngezi Forest and Msitu Mkuu (3), and this restricted distribution makes it vulnerable to the effects of continued forest degradation and clearance for agriculture (2). Native forest is threatened by exploitation for building materials, fuelwood, and in some areas, conversion to rubber plantations and infrastructure development (6).
Clove plantations, where the Pemba scops-owl occurs at lower densities, are also now a threatened habitat. A global collapse in clove prices resulted in many farmers clearing clove plantations in order to plant more lucrative crops such as rice and cassava, creating an open farmland habitat entirely unsuitable for the scops-owl (3) (6). In addition, this species' association with witchcraft makes persecution by humans a distinct possibility (2) (5).
Pemba scops owl
provided by wikipedia EN
The Pemba scops owl (Otus pembaensis) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Pemba Island which is part of and off the coast of Tanzania.
Taxonomy
The Pemba scops owl was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Madagascar scops owl, Otus rutilus sensu lato, due to morphological similarities but genetic research has shown that it is closer to the clade in which the African scops owl, Otus senegalensis, is situated.[3]
Description
The Pemba scops owl is a medium-sized scops-owl with short ear-tufts. There are two colour morphs, a brown morph which is mainly pale rufous-brown with light streaking on the head and faint barring on paler underparts and a rufous morph which is a bright, rich rufous, that is paler on the underwing coverts. Both morphs show a pale scapular band, whitish in the brown morph and pale rufous in the rufous morph. The bill is black while the cere is greenish-yellow and the eyes and legs are yellow. It is 15 cm (5.9 in) tall with a 45 cm (18 in) wingspan.[4]
Voice
The call is a single "hoo" note which is made at irregular intervals or in a rapid series of 4-6 notes given at intervals of half a second.[4] The pair duets with the male calls being shorter, and lower in pitch.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The Pemba scops owl is endemic to Pemba, the northern island of the Zanzibar archipelago, part of Tanzania, off the coast of east Africa. On Pemba this owl is found in all wooded habitats from native forest to overgrown plantations of cloves and mango.[5] However, it is most common in native forest.[6]
Behaviour
The biology of the Pemba scops owl is little known. It is nocturnal and roosts among foliage or in dense undergrowth during the day. It starts calling soon after sunset and then hunts. Its diet is mainly insects which may be caught in flight, gleaned from leaves or caught on the ground after a short glide from a perch. The breeding behaviour is almost unknown, although it possibly breeds from August to October and nests in natural holes in trees.[5]
Conservation status
The Pemba scops owl is listed as a Vulnerable by the IUCN because it is restricted to Pemba, the population continues to decline and there is a loss of habitat as local farmers clear plantations to make way for open agricultural fields. It is now largely confined to the two small remaining native forests: Ngezi, which is 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) in area, and Msitu Mkuu, at only 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi). The population is estimated to be between 1,500 and 4,500 breeding pairs, although it is in rapid decline.[1]
References
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Pemba scops owl: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Pemba scops owl (Otus pembaensis) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to Pemba Island which is part of and off the coast of Tanzania.
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