Otus ireneae
The enigmatic Sokoke Scops Owl (*Otus ireneae*) is a petite, rufous-brown owl reaching approximately 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 inches) in length and weighing around 45-60 grams (1.6-2.1 ounces). Its plumage is dominated by a warm reddish-brown hue, finely streaked and vermiculated with darker markings, providing superb camouflage against tree bark. A prominent, pale rufous facial disc frames piercing yellow eyes, often contrasting with faint, short ear-tufts that are frequently kept flat. Distinctive...
This highly specialized owl inhabits dense, low-to-mid elevation coastal evergreen forests, particularly preferring patches dominated by *Cynometra* trees, often found below 1100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level.
The Sokoke Scops Owl is primarily insectivorous, preying on a variety of nocturnal insects such as moths, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers, captured both in flight and gleaned from vegetation.
Exclusively nocturnal, the Sokoke Scops Owl spends its days roosting motionless against tree trunks, perfectly camouflaged by its cryptic plumage, often close to the ground. Foraging activity commences at dusk, with the owl sallying from low perches to snatch insects in flight or gleaning them fr...
The Sokoke Scops Owl is an extremely rare and localized resident of two highly disjunct populations in eastern Africa. The primary stronghold is the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in coastal Kenya, where it is found year-round. A second, smaller, and even more threatened population exists in the East Usam...
Endangered
- The Sokoke Scops Owl was only formally described in 1965, making it a relatively recent discovery for ornithologists. - It is named after Irene Cole, the wife of one of its discoverers, Don Cole, who found the first specimen. - This tiny owl is one of the smallest owls in Africa, barely larger ...