Tuesday 21 May Pemba scops-owl (Otus pembaensis) What’s the
World’s Favourite Species?Find out here. Pemba scops-owl fact
file - Find out more - Print factsheet Pemba scops-owl
description 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). - Otus
rutilus. - Autillo de Pemba. - Length: 16 – 20 cm (2) World Owl
Trust: - BirdLife International: -