The Oriental Scops Owl – 10,000 Birds
The Oriental Scops Owl is presumably my favourite of all chicken species (although I could have mentioned that about different species as effectively) – so, right here’s a submit with just a few images of this owl taken this autumn migration season.
The extremely beneficial photographic information “Owls of the world” describes it as a “very small owl with seen ear-tufts” (although not really on this primary photograph).
The title “scops” apparently is from the Latin “scops”, which in flip is from the Greek “scops” (not very inventive, admittedly), which means “a sort of small owl”. In accordance with “The Fowl Identify Ebook A Historical past of English Fowl Names”, the unique greek phrase is skopós, “watcher, guardian, spy,” with the writer Susan Myers stating that this “appears applicable for these ever-alert however secretive birds.”
In accordance with this e book, scops (?) owls also have a cameo look in Homer’s Odyssee: “A thick wooden of alder, poplar, and candy smelling cypress timber, whereby every kind of nice birds had constructed their nests—owls [skópes], hawks, and chattering sea-crows that occupy their enterprise within the waters.” Presumably not Oriental Scops Owls although, except there’s a Trojan subspecies …
Whereas there are 55 species of scops owls, the Oriental Scops Owl is by far essentially the most generally seen in Shanghai, primarily throughout migration.
It is available in two morphs – one greyish, one reddish. Relying on the bark shade of the timber the owls conceal in, often one morph is simpler to identify than the opposite – although each morphs generally appear to make themselves invisible at will.
Being gray clearly is helpful subsequent to a greyish tree.
Fittingly, the Helm “Owls of the World” information states that “Throughout daytime roosts singly, or generally in small events, in dense foliage, in opposition to a tree trunk or in holes; if detected, stretches vertically, with plumage sleeked, ear-tufts erected and eyes virtually closed. Then virtually invisible in opposition to environment.”
Right here, a purple morph appears to considerably misjudge its environment, making it pretty seen.
Right here, the match is healthier.
This one right here can also be superb at being invisible.
One other unusual facet – already talked about additional up – is that these owls virtually appear to have the ability to change their form – from a spherical egg form to a really extended branch-like form. Camouflage at its greatest.
Egg-shaped:
Department-shaped:
Some actual property suggestions for Oriental Scops Owls: In accordance with a Korean research, woodpecker nest holes don’t make not very fascinating flats – the speed of nesting failures is comparatively excessive. Pure tree holes are considerably higher however synthetic nest containers are greatest. Although in fact, younger owls rising up in such a man-made setting could later develop into snobbish and elitist.
Extra good recommendation for Oriental Scops Owls: steer clear of Japanese researchers, as they could wish to scan your tongue with an digital microscope.
In fact, the ear tufts usually are not actually ears. However they appear cool.
As an added bonus, they make the owl look much more cat-like than another owl species.
To finish this submit, some extra images. You understand you need them.
