Mindoro scops owl

Habitat: The Mindoro scops owl (Otus mindorensis) is an owl that is native to the Mindoro island in the Philippines. They live in a terrestrial environment and their main habitat consists of the highly elevated forests with a very small global range[3] Meaning they do not migrate or have movement patterns. The ongoing clearance of forest habitats has slightly affected their habitat.[3] As of October 1, 2016, the Mindoro Scops Owl species has been labeled to be a newly threatened species, or critically endangered species.[4] For instance, the Montane forest has been almost completely cleared out by logging operations, which may pose a threat to this species.[4]

Mindoro scops owl
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Clade:	Dinosauria
Class:	Aves
Order:	Strigiformes
Family:	Strigidae
Genus:	Otus
Species:	O. mindorensis
Binomial name
Otus mindorensis (Whitehead, 1899)

Population: The Mindoro scop owl is a near threatened species due to on-going habitat destruction, causing a decreasing population trend with a ripe number of 10,000-19,999 mature individuals.[4] However, their total population equates to about 15,000-29,000 individuals. The continuing decline of mature individuals is unknown and the population is not severely fragmented. There is only one subpopulation with about 10,000- 19999 individuals.

Identification: The Mindoro Scop Owls are amongst the smallest owls in existence – second only to the tiny Elf Owls.[5] They only measure in between 6.5 – 12 inches (16.5 – 30 cm) in length[5] They have bright neon yellow eyes and short ear tufts that aid them in locating prey.[6] While their small bodies are dark brown with a speckled pattern, their face and chest are a light brown.[6] Their coloring specifically helps them appear as camouflage to predators or prey.[5] Mindoro Scop Owls also have the ability to stretch their bodies in a way that appears leaner. They sway back and forth to look as if they are a tree branch moving in a breeze[5]

Diet: The Mindoro Scop Owl’s diet mostly consists of bugs and insects, however, there is no published quantitative data; information measured by numerical variables, to prove this[7] or the amount consumed. They also consume small birds or small mammals such as bats, mice, earthworms, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates[5]

Behavior: The Mindoro Scop Owls communicate with one another in a high pitched whistle call that rises or falls in repeated intervals.[6] The male calls include a soft “po-wo” or “wo-wo” that lasts about .5 second with repeated intervals of 8–10 seconds.[7] Their call is in response to another Mindoro Scop Owl.[6]

Reproduction: Specimen collected in the year 1896 reports that Mindoro Scop Owls have well developed eggs within the months of January and May.[7] Their eggs and nests are not described.[7]