Simeulue Scops Owl (Otus umbra)

The Simeulue Scops Owls (Otus umbra) are scop owls found on the island of Simeulue, off north-west Sumatra, in Indonesia.

These small owls are listed as Near Threatened mostly due to their small range and small, fragmented populations, which appear to be declining due to loss of their forest habitats.

They are mostly found along the forest edge and remnants, particularly on the coast, as well as inhabiting clove plantations.

Description

The Simeulue Scops Owl has a mostly reddish-brown plumage. The plumage below is slightly paler with whitish spots, darker rusty barring and some black streaks. The upper plumage is dark with black spots.

It has short eartufts, a short bill and a plain facial disk. The wings are short and rounded. The flight feathers and tail are barred. The legs / feet are grey and the eyes yellow.

The average length is 6 – 7 inches (16 – 18 cm) – including the tail.

Diet / Feeding

Their diet mostly consists of insects.

Global Names

Chinese: ??? … Czech: Výre?ek simeulský … Danish: Umbrodværghornugle … Dutch: Mentawidwergooruil, Mentawi-dwergooruil … Finnish: Kahvipöllönen … French: Petit-duc de Simalur … German: Simalureule, Simeulue-Zwergohreule … Indonesian: Celepuk Simalur … Italian: Assiolo di Simeulue … Japanese: Muntawaikonohazuku … Norwegian: Simeulueugle … Polish: Syczek mroczny … Russian: ??????????? ?????, ????? ???????? … Slovak: Výrik klincekovcový / pobrežný … Spanish: Autillo de la Simeulue … Swedish: Simeuluedvärguv

Additional Resources

More Owl Information

Photo of author

Team Beauty of Birds

Beautyofbirds.com's team of experts includes veterinarians, biologists, environmentalists and active bird watchers. All put together, we have over half a century of experience in the birding space.

You can meet our team here.