São Tomé scops owl facts for kids
The São Tomé scops owl (its scientific name is Otus hartlaubi) is a small type of owl. It belongs to the true owl family called Strigidae. This special owl lives only on São Tomé Island, which is part of a country called São Tomé and Príncipe. This island is located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of Central Africa.
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About the São Tomé Scops Owl
The São Tomé scops owl is a small, shy owl. It has tiny ear-tufts, which are like small feather tufts on its head. Its face is light reddish-brown, with a white chin and white eyebrows.
The top of its head and its upper body are chestnut brown. They have wavy reddish-brown markings and black lines down the middle of their feathers. The feathers on its shoulders have white spots with black tips. Its flight feathers are a pale yellowish-brown with white spots and narrow stripes. Its tail has pale yellowish-brown bars.
The owl's belly and chest are reddish-brown. They have fine, wavy brown and white patterns, plus bold black stripes. Young owls are usually paler in color. This small owl is about 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. It weighs around 79 grams (2.8 ounces). Female owls are a bit bigger than males.
What Does It Sound Like?
The São Tomé scops owl makes a high-pitched 'hu-hu-hu' sound. It also has a low, rough 'kwow' call. These sounds are different from other owls. For example, the African scops owl makes different calls. The Eurasian scops owl makes flute-like sounds.
Where the São Tomé Scops Owl Lives
This owl species lives only on São Tomé Island. This island is part of the country São Tomé and Príncipe. It is found in the Gulf of Guinea, near the equator, off the western coast of Central Africa.
The owl's natural habitats are wet lowland forests in tropical and subtropical areas. It also lives in wet montane forests, which are forests on mountains. It is found in many places within these forests. There are probably several hundred of these owls living there.
How the São Tomé Scops Owl Behaves
This owl is the only type of scops owl on São Tomé Island. The only other owl found there is the common barn owl. The São Tomé scops owl eats mostly insects. Its diet includes grasshoppers, beetles, and moths. It also eats small lizards.
Like most owls, this species is nocturnal, meaning it is active at night. It is not afraid of humans. During the day, it roosts, or rests, close to tree trunks or inside them. Sometimes, you can even hear it calling during the day.
Protecting the São Tomé Scops Owl
The São Tomé scops owl needs our help to survive. Its future depends on stopping habitat loss in the remaining lowland rainforests of São Tomé. This means protecting the forests where it lives.
Three other birds on the island also need this protection. They are the São Tomé ibis, the São Tomé olive pigeon, and the São Tomé oriole. Protecting these forests helps all these unique birds.
See also
- Wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe
