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The Oriental Scops Owl is presumably my favourite of all chicken species (although I’ll have stated that about different species as properly) – so, right here’s a put up with just a few photographs of this owl taken this autumn migration season.
The extremely advisable photographic information “Owls of the world” describes it as a “very small owl with seen ear-tufts” (although not really on this primary picture).
The identify “scops” apparently is from the Latin “scops”, which in flip is from the Greek “scops” (not very inventive, admittedly), that means “a kind of small owl”. In response to “The Chook Identify E book A Historical past of English Chook Names”, the unique greek phrase is skopós, “watcher, guardian, spy,” with the creator Susan Myers stating that this “appears applicable for these ever-alert however secretive birds.”
In response to this e book, scops (?) owls actually have a cameo look in Homer’s Odyssee: “A thick wooden of alder, poplar, and candy smelling cypress bushes, whereby all types 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 bushes the owls disguise in, often one morph is simpler to identify than the opposite – although each morphs typically 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 typically 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 crimson 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 side – 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 ideas for Oriental Scops Owls: In response to a Korean research, woodpecker nest holes don’t make very fascinating residences – 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 surroundings could later turn into snobbish and elitist.
Extra good recommendation for Oriental Scops Owls: avoid Japanese researchers, as they could need to scan your tongue with an digital microscope.
In fact, the ear tufts will not be 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 put up, some extra photographs. you need them.
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