Photo: thibaudaronson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sao Tome Scops Owl
Otus hartlaubi
Sao Tome Scops Owl (Otus hartlaubi) — Owls of Africa.
The Sao Tome Scops Owl (Otus hartlaubi) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 79 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Otus
- Species hartlaubi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 79 g
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Sao Tome Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sao Tome Scops Owl (Otus hartlaubi) is a member of the Strigidae family, within the order Strigiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 79 g, with a wing length of about 15.2 cm and a tail of around 7.9 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 389 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sao Tome Scops Owl?
The Sao Tome Scops Owl is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 79 g.
Where does the Sao Tome Scops Owl live?
The Sao Tome Scops Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Sao Tome Scops Owl belong to?
The Sao Tome Scops Owl (Otus hartlaubi) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
Does the Sao Tome Scops Owl migrate?
The Sao Tome Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sao Tome Scops Owl endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Sao Tome Scops Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Sao Tome 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 Sao Tome Scops Owl's range?
The Sao Tome Scops Owl has a mapped global range of about 389 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Strigidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Owls
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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.