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The Oriental Scops Owl is probably my favourite of all fowl species (although I could have mentioned that about different species as nicely) – so, right here’s a publish with just a few photographs of this owl taken this autumn migration season.
The extremely really helpful photographic information “Owls of the world” describes it as a “very small owl with seen ear-tufts” (although not truly on this primary photograph).
The identify “scops” apparently is from the Latin “scops”, which in flip is from the Greek “scops” (not very artistic, admittedly), that means “a sort of small owl”. In response to “The Hen Identify Guide A Historical past of English Hen Names”, the unique greek phrase is skopós, “watcher, guardian, spy,” with the creator Susan Myers stating that this “appears applicable for these ever-alert however secretive birds.”
In response to this e book, scops (?) owls actually have a cameo look in Homer’s Odyssee: “A thick wooden of alder, poplar, and candy smelling cypress bushes, whereby all types of nice birds had constructed their nests—owls [skópes], hawks, and chattering sea-crows that occupy their enterprise within the waters.” Presumably not Oriental Scops Owls although, until there’s a Trojan subspecies …
Whereas there are 55 species of scops owls, the Oriental Scops Owl is by far probably the most generally seen in Shanghai, primarily throughout migration.
It is available in two morphs – one greyish, one reddish. Relying on the bark shade of the bushes the owls cover in, normally one morph is simpler to identify than the opposite – although each morphs generally appear to make themselves invisible at will.
Being gray clearly is helpful subsequent to a greyish tree.
Fittingly, the Helm “Owls of the World” information states that “Throughout daytime roosts singly, or generally in small events, in dense foliage, in opposition to a tree trunk or in holes; if detected, stretches vertically, with plumage sleeked, ear-tufts erected and eyes nearly closed. Then nearly invisible in opposition to environment.”
Right here, a pink morph appears to considerably misjudge its environment, making it pretty seen.
Right here, the match is best.
This one right here can be excellent at being invisible.
One other unusual facet – already talked about additional up – is that these owls nearly appear to have the ability to change their form – from a spherical egg form to a really extended branch-like form. Camouflage at its greatest.
Egg-shaped:
Department-shaped:
Some actual property suggestions for Oriental Scops Owls: In response to a Korean examine, woodpecker nest holes don’t make not very fascinating flats – the speed of nesting failures is comparatively excessive. Pure tree holes are considerably higher however synthetic nest bins are greatest. Although in fact, younger owls rising up in such a synthetic atmosphere might later change into snobbish and elitist.
Extra good recommendation for Oriental Scops Owls: keep away from Japanese researchers, as they might need to scan your tongue with an digital microscope.
After all, the ear tufts should not actually ears. However they give the impression of being cool.
As an added bonus, they make the owl look much more cat-like than another owl species.
To finish this publish, some extra photographs. you need them.
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