PHILIPPINE SCOPS OWL

The Philippine scops owl (Otus megalotis ) is a common owl, endemic to the Philippines, belonging to the family of the typical owls Strigidae. Other common names include “Otus Whitehead”, “Whitehead scops owl” and “Luzon lowland scops owl”. Everett’s scops owl (Otus megalotis everetti) and Negros scops owls (Otus megalotis nigrorum) were formerly considered conspecific but are now classified as subspecies of Otus megalotis.

Appearance

The Philippine scops owl is a fairly small-to-mid-sized species of owl, but is arguably the largest true species of scops owl. Adults measure from measuring around 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in). Body mass can range variously from 125 to 310 g (4.4 to 10.9 oz), with females often considerably larger than males. A distinguishing feature of this owl is its large ears that are standing upright on its head. They also have big eyes that are dark in the center with a red/orange edge. In general, these owls are covered in dark brown feathers with dark streaks on them. Their ear tuffs also follow a similar pattern. Their forehead is whitish and they have a dark line around their facial disk. There are three subspecies of Philippine scops owl which show three variations in morphology. The smallest morph, Otus megalotis nigrorum, has a reddish brown color, no scapular line, and no feathers on its upper feet. The medium-sized morph, Otus megalotis everetti, also lacks a scapular line and feathers on its upper feet but it has a more greyish brown color. Finally, Otus megalotis megalotis, is the largest of all three varieties and also has a grey brown color but it shows a scapular line and feathers on its upper feet. Other morphological differences between the subspecies can be seen in the length of the tail, the wings, the culmen and the tarsus. These traits are longer in O. m. megalotis and are shorter in O. m. nigrorum.

There are no significant difference in morphology between male and female Philippine scops owls although female scops owls tend to be larger in general. The owlets however, present some contrast as they have fluffy rufous feathers. Once they reach the sub-adult age, they are black and greyish-white until they finally reach adulthood and turn brownish.

Habits and Lifestyle

Philippine scops owls are sedentary birds with a limited home range. The fact that different subspecies are found on different islands limits intraspecific competition and allows these birds to have a smaller distribution where all the necessary resources are available.

Diet and Nutrition

These carnivorous owls prey upon animals such as insects and small mammals. During nighttime, they perch in trees where the land is relatively open, which offers them a better view of the surrounding preys. They are ferocious feeders and specialize in tearing flesh. Their raptorial claws, curved bill and excellent hearing and sighting skill make them powerful predators. They have been observed to kill their victim by crushing its head, then breaking every other bone of the body to finally swallow the animal whole. This method has cost the lives of many juveniles who suffocate because the prey is too large to swallow. Philippine scops owls were also noticed to feed on spider species such as Heteropoda venatoria.

Mating Habits

Otus megalotis are often spotted alone but have also been seen in monogamous pairs. Not a lot of information is known about their reproduction but they are thought to breed throughout the year where females will lay 1 to 2 eggs annually. Sexual maturity is reached around the age of 2 but their lifespan is unknown. One juvenile with two adults have been witnessed multiple times which supports the theory that they are monogamous birds who display parental care from both the father and the mother.

They construct their nests in tree cavities but also among the roots of dead trees on the ground.

Eleven Awesome Owls From Around The World

 Owls are awesome. Though seldom seen and often under-appreciated, these birds are some of the most interesting avian species around.

There are more than 200 species of owls in the world, divided into two families: Tytonidae, including the heart-faced barn owls, and Strigidae, which includes more typical owls. 

All owls are predatory, but their prey is diverse, with some species hunting frogs, others fish, and others prey on large mammals. Some swoop down silently onto their prey, others burrow underground, and some wail and screech like a witch in the night. 

Here are eleven of our favorite owl species from around the world.

Barking owls are one of my favorite owls; not because of their appearance, but because of their unusual call…  a high-pitched “Woof, woof! Woof woof!” The first time I heard one, I wondered who was letting their Pomeranian run around the campground. 

Barking owls are found throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia’s Molucca archipelago. They have a broad diet, feasting on everything from small mammals, like sugar gliders and bats, to birds, beetles, and moths.

Spectacled owls are native to the American tropics, from Mexico down to Brazil. They favor old-growth rainforests, where they feed on small mammals and invertebrates. Adults have a dark, grey-brown head and neck marked with distinctive white “spectacles” around the eyes. Juveniles are even more distinctive,  with fluffy, all-white heads and dark circles around the eyes. 

Though not currently in danger, scientists suspect that the spectacled owl will soon experience a large population decrease as a result of deforestation and degradation across its range.

Pel’s fishing-owl, found in sub-Saharan Africa, has one of the most unusual diets of any owl. The species preys exclusively on fish and frogs snatched from the surface of lakes and slow-moving rivers. (And scientists once observed an owl catching a baby Nile crocodile!) 

To aid in hunting, they have minimal feathers on their lower legs and small spikes on their footpads. These adaptations are similar to diurnal raptors, like the osprey, that feed on fish or other aquatic prey. Pel’s fishing-owl is also one of the world’s largest owl species, with a wingspan of 60 inches and a weight of up to 5.2 pounds.

If you’re a lucky North American birder, you might catch a glimpse of a northern hawk-owl in winter. This owl species is found across the northern latitudes of North America and Eurasia, occasionally erupting southward in winter, much like the snowy owl. Northern hawk-owls are one of the only diurnal owl species, sometimes hunting small rodents and birds by day while other owls are fast asleep. Due to its remote habitat and low population density, scientists know comparatively little about the northern hawk-owl.

Africa’s pearl-spotted owlet wins the cool camouflage award. You might think they look rather ordinary, until you see the two dark, white-rimmed patches on the back of the bird’s head. These false eyespots mimic a pair of eyes, which scientists think both confuse prey as to which way the bird is looking, and also discourage predators from sneaking up on the owlet from behind. The species is found in wooded savanna in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it often hunts by day.

The barred eagle-owl has a rather arresting stare, with protruding black eyes, a yellow bill, and two horn-like tufts protruding horizontally from its head. (They remind me of a very grumpy, potentially menacing version of a Furbie toy.) Found in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, these large owls are thought to mate for life and be highly territorial, occupying the same area for years. They have a variety of calls, from hoots to what one birding guide describes as “strangulate noises.” 

The Oriental bay-owl of Southeast Asia looks like it walked out of a horror film. Related to barn owls, it has a heart-shaped face with chestnut-colored vertical markings that run through its dark eyes. Relatively common, they feed on small rodents, bats, birds, lizards, frogs, and insects.

The world’s smallest owl, the elf owl, is only the size of a sparrow. The species is found in Mexico and in the US states along the Mexican border. Elf owls live in woodlands and deserts, where they often nest in woodpecker holes or natural cavities in trees or cacti. Elf owls feed on invertebrates and migrate to the southern parts of their range in the winter. (Two other tiny species, the Tamaulipas pygmy owl and the long-whiskered owlet, are about the same size as the elf owl, but weigh a bit more.)

Spotted wood owls are one of the few owl species with such a distinctive orange facial disc. Their eyes are dark brown and their white chest and stomach are marked with thin, black bars. This Southeast Asian species favors open forest, plantations, and even parks near human settlement.

One of the world’s most unique owl species is close to home — the burrowing owl. These pint-sized owls are found in open habitats in North and South America. (In the US, you can see them in the western states and Florida.) Burrowing owls are diurnal, and they nest and take shelter in burrows dug by mammals, like prairie dogs, or tortoises. The owls will use their claws and beaks to enlarge burrows to suit their needs. They also don’t mind people, and are quite comfortable near human habitation, even nesting near airport runways or road medians.

The endangered Blakiston’s fish-owl is the largest owl species on Earth. This bird is found in far eastern Russia, northeastern China, and northern Japan. (It’s also possible that they occur in North Korea, but the political situation has prevented scientists from surveying for the species.) 

Blakiston’s fish owls have very specific habitat requirements, preferring boreal forests with old-growth trees that have cavities for suitable nesting. They also require nearby streams that don’t completely freeze over in winter, as fish are one of their primary food sources. They are strong enough to catch and kill salmon and trout two to three times their weight. The IUCN estimates that only 1,500 to 3,700 birds remain in the wild, and their habitat is threatened by logging and road development. 

Bird Of Paradise Matting Dance

 Male Birds of Paradise perform elaborate dances to attract a mate. 

This is specific scene, what i have seen online on bbc earth channel’s show  named” Planet earth” . This bird is performing dance to attract female bird and after this step i cant stop myself to search about this bird.

And let me tell you, after this much effort , female was not impressed , LOL. 

But im in love with this bird.

The bird of paradise bird, also spelled bird-of-paradise, lives in tropical forests in Australia and the surrounding islands. Most types are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females differ in appearance. While the females have muted colors and short feathers, the males sport long, brightly colored feathers streaming from their heads, beaks, wings, or tails. They use their elaborate feathers in spectacular mating dances designed to attract the attention of a female.

108 Panchatantra Stories (Illustrated) for children

These birds are not just one species. In fact, around 45 distinct types have been identified.

Bird of Paradise Amazing Facts

• Males take a long time to mature. It may take up to seven years for them to gain their adult plumage.
• These birds are important to their habitat as seed distributors. They do not digest the seeds in the fruit they eat.
• When specimens were first brought to Europe during the 1500s, some people thought the Bird of Paradise was the phoenix of myth. In a native language, they were called “birds of God,” and that is from where the name “bird of paradise” was derived.

Where To Find Bird of Paradise

These birds are primarily found in Australia and New Guinea. Some types also live on nearby islands. The Australian species are commonly called riflebirds and manucodes. They live in dense forests and jungles.

These birds are elusive and can be hard to spot in the wild. Travelers are also discouraged from visiting parts of their range. However, the Port Moresby Nature Park and Adventure Park PNG in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea are easily accessible zoos that have fine collections of various species. Each park has a walk-through aviary where you can view the animals up close as they feed on fruits and fly around their rainforest habitat.

Bird of Paradise Nests

Females construct nests of ferns, leaves, and vines, usually placed in the fork of a tree. Males do not assist.

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

king bird-or-paradise

curl-crested manucode

The smallest is the king bird-or-paradise, which weighs 1.8 oz (50g) and is less than 6 inches (15 cm) in length. The largest is the curl-crested manucode, which weighs 15 oz (430g) and is 17 inches (44 cm) in length – more than three times the size of its smaller cousin! The black sicklebill has the longest tail – from beak to tail-tip, it is 43 inches (110 cm).

black sicklebill

Males have brighter and longer feathers than females. Females bear drab colors, usually green, black, or brown. Some have long, thin, curved beaks. Generally, females of the species have bigger beaks.

These birds exhibit some of the most interesting and entertaining behaviors of any bird. Males go to great lengths to attract the attention of females. They will often clear a “dance floor” – a branch or a patch of ground – by removing all leaves, twigs, and debris. Then, the real show begins. Depending on the species, males may hold their wings and tails at odd angles, puff out their chests, and dance rhythmically.

Bird of Paradise Diet

All species primarily eat fruit. They also consume arthropods, including insects and spiders. Some also eat nectar and small vertebrates.

What Does the Bird Eat?

They eat fruit and insects.

Predators and Threats

Many of these bird species are threatened by the loss of habitat. They also fall victim to hunters who wish to sell their beautiful feathers or use them for ceremonial garb. Interestingly, birdwatching tourism has deterred the hunting of the birds.

What Eats the Bird?

Predators include snakes, owls, and hawks. Females and young males have subdued colors to help them blend in with their environment and avoid predators.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

As already noted, these birds are noted for their elaborate mating dances. Once a female chooses the male with the best dance moves as her mate, she builds a nest and lays one to two eggs. She raises the chicks without assistance from the male.

Some species are monogamous, meaning they mate for life. Others engage in lekking. This means that groups of males display and dance together. The watching female then chooses her favorite from the group. She may mate with a different male each nesting season.