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Photo: Olivier Lejade / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Not Evaluated

Torotoroka Scops Owl

Otus madagascariensis

Torotoroka Scops Owl (Otus madagascariensis) — Owls of Africa.

The Torotoroka Scops Owl (Otus madagascariensis) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 104 g.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Strigiformes
  3. Family Strigidae Owls
  4. Genus Otus
  5. Species madagascariensis

Where it lives

Western, central Madagascar

Quick facts

Weight
104 g
Family
Strigidae
Order
Strigiformes
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Torotoroka 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 Torotoroka Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Torotoroka Scops Owl (Otus madagascariensis) belongs to the Strigidae family of the order Strigiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c Madagascar.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 104 g, with a wing length of about 15.5 cm and a tail of around 8.4 cm.

Songs & calls

Torotoroka Scops Owl — Song

Recorded by Joost van Bruggen Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Torotoroka Scops Owl?

The Torotoroka Scops Owl is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 104 g.

Where does the Torotoroka Scops Owl live?

The Torotoroka Scops Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c Madagascar, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the Torotoroka Scops Owl belong to?

The Torotoroka Scops Owl (Otus madagascariensis) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.

What does the Torotoroka Scops Owl eat?

The Torotoroka Scops Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Torotoroka Scops Owl migrate?

The Torotoroka Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

What sound does the Torotoroka Scops Owl make?

1 real field recording of the Torotoroka Scops Owl — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

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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.

1 min read

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