Sokoke Scops Owl - Otus ireneae

Sokoke Scops Owl - Otus ireneae.

IUCN STATUS CATEGORY Vulnerable

HABITAT Greatest numbers exist in red-soil Cynometra-Manilkara forest, which covers less than a third (110sq. km) of the Sokoke Forest; also found in Cynometra thickets, and Afzelia-Cynometra forest.

GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD This species was until recently believed to be confined to the Sokoke Forest in Kenya. However, an owl, probably this species, was netted in 1992 by a Cambridge University and BirdLife International expedition to the East Usambaras in northern Tanzania.

CURRENT POPULATION The Sokoke Forest population is estimated at around 1,000 pairs.

SIZE 16 to 18cm

WEIGHT Around 50g.

AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY Not known.

NORMAL DIET Insectivorous.

NORMAL LIFESTYLE Little is known about the ecology of the Sokoke Scops Owl.

PREVIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD Perhaps formerly more widespread in suitable habitat in East Africa.

REASONS FOR DECLINE Not known to have declined.

CURRENT THREATS At some risk from small population size and habitat modification.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS This apparently rare and local species has provided much impetus for a massive effort to conserve Sokoke Forest, one of the most important tracts of forest in Africa. In 1992 a research programme began into the habitat requirements and behaviour of the owl. In 1989 BirdLife International began a major conservation programme in Sokoke, aimed at promoting sustainable use of the forest. The conservation programme at the site is now threatened by lack of long-term funding. There is a conservation programme under way in the East Usambara Mountains which may aid the conservation of any Sokoke Scops Owls in the region.

SPECIAL FEATURES Discovered only in 1965. Occurs in two colour phases, being either grey or a rich rufous-brown.

REFERENCES

Collar, N.J. and Stuart, S.N. 1985. Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands. The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, Part 1. ICBP (now BirdLife International) and IUCN, Cambridge.

Collar, N.J., Crosby, M.J., and Stattersfield, A.J. 1994. Birds to Watch 2. The World List of Threatened Birds. BirdLife International, Cambridge.

del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sárgatal, J. Eds. 1994. Handbook for the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions, Spain.

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