Karthala Scops Owl
Otus pauliani
Karthala Scops Owl (Otus pauliani) — Owls of Africa.
The Karthala Scops Owl (Otus pauliani) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 69.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Otus
- Species pauliani
Quick facts
- Weight
- 69.5 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Karthala Scops Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Karthala Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Karthala Scops Owl (Otus pauliani) is a species of bird in the Strigidae family, part of the order Strigiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane Grande Comore (=Njazidja; nw Comoros).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 69.5 g, with a wing length of about 13.7 cm and a tail of around 8.1 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 174 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Karthala Scops Owl?
The Karthala Scops Owl is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 69.5 g.
Where does the Karthala Scops Owl live?
The Karthala Scops Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane Grande Comore (=Njazidja; nw Comoros), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Karthala Scops Owl belong to?
The Karthala Scops Owl (Otus pauliani) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Karthala Scops Owl eat?
The Karthala Scops Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Karthala Scops Owl migrate?
The Karthala Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Karthala Scops Owl endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Karthala Scops Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Karthala Scops Owl — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Karthala Scops Owl's range?
The Karthala Scops Owl has a mapped global range of about 174 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Strigidae
A field guide to the Strigidae family — 236 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.