The Owl Pages

Ryukyu Scops Owl ~ Otus elegans

Introduction

The Ryukyu Scops Owl is a very small owl with relatively long ear-tufts. It is also known as the Elegant Scops Owl.

Photo Gallery (2 pictures)

  • Ryukyu Scops Owl
  • Ryukyu Scops Owl

Sound Gallery

Typical calls - Ishigaki Island, Japan. June 2013. CC Frank Lambert.

Information

Distribution: Ryukyu and Daito Islands south of Japan, Lanyu Island off southeast Taiwan, and Batan, Calayan and other small islands north of Luzon in the Philippines.

Range of Ryukyu Scops Owl (Otus elegans)
Range of the Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans

Status: Globally listed as 'Near Threatened' by Birdlife International.

Original Description: Cassin, John. 1852. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 6, p. 185-186.

References: (may contain affiliate links)
BirdLife International. 2020. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN.
International Ornithological Congress. 2023. "IOC World Bird List - Owls".
König, Claus & Weick, Friedhelm. 2008. "Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World (Second Edition)". Yale University Press.
Otus elegans at Xeno-canto.

See also: Other owls from Asia, Genus: Otus.

Page by Deane Lewis. Last updated 2020-10-17. Copyright Information.