Moheli Scops Owl
Otus moheliensis
Moheli Scops Owl (Otus moheliensis) — Owls of Africa.
The Moheli Scops Owl (Otus moheliensis) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 105 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 moheliensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 105 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Moheli 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 Moheli Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Moheli Scops Owl (Otus moheliensis) belongs to the Strigidae family of the order Strigiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane Mohéli (=Mwali; wc Comoros).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 105 g, with a wing length of about 16.6 cm and a tail of around 3.1 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 207 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Moheli Scops Owl?
The Moheli Scops Owl is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 105 g.
Where does the Moheli Scops Owl live?
The Moheli Scops Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane Mohéli (=Mwali; wc Comoros), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Moheli Scops Owl belong to?
The Moheli Scops Owl (Otus moheliensis) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Moheli Scops Owl eat?
The Moheli Scops Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Moheli Scops Owl migrate?
The Moheli Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Moheli 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 Moheli Scops Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Moheli Scops Owl — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Moheli Scops Owl's range?
The Moheli Scops Owl has a mapped global range of about 207 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.