Biology
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As a recent discovery, there is currently little information about the Moheli scops-owl's biology. It is known to be active at night, nesting in tree cavities during the day where the colouring and markings of its plumage enable it to blend in with tree bark and dead leaves (4).
Conservation
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There are no conservation measures currently in place for the Moheli scops-owl. However, proposals have been made to protect this species by extending the Réserve Marine de Nioumachoua, so that it includes the highland forest regions that the owl inhabits. With so little known about this species' biology, there is a requirement for further research so that effective protective measures can be developed. Increasing the awareness of Mohéli's inhabitants about the existence of the Moheli scops-owl and its rarity would also be beneficial for its conservation (2).
Description
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Discovered as recently as 1998, the Critically Endangered Moheli scops-owl is only found on a single mountain ridge on the island of Mohéli. This species comprises individuals of two different colour forms: the first has plumage which is gingery brown and weakly marked with a patterning of streaks and bars; the second has darker brown plumage, which is strongly marked with streaks and wave-like patterns (2). Both colour forms have yellow-green eyes, grey legs and black beaks (4). The Moheli scops-owl is highly vocal, producing hissing whistles and screeches (2).
Habitat
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This species inhabits intact, dense, humid forest, which only remains on the upper slopes of Mohéli Island's central mountain ridge (2).
Range
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The Moheli scops-owl is only found on the island of Mohéli, part of the Comoro Island group located between Madagascar and Africa, where it is restricted to a mountain ridge in the centre of the island. Its total range is believed to be around 21 square kilometres, encompassing the highest point of the ridge, 790 metres above sea level, and the surrounding upper slopes (2) (5).
Status
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Classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
Threats
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The loss of forest on Mohéli has been severe; in 1995, only five percent of the island still had intact, dense, humid forest. Underplanting is one of the main problems affecting the remaining forest, a process in which food-producing plants, such as bananas, are planted within forests, where they alter the natural vegetation composition and eventually cause the degradation of the forest habitat. Aside from habitat loss, specific threats to the Moheli scops-owl are hunting, and invasive species, such as rats, which may eat its eggs and compete with it for food. At present, the highland region inhabited by the Moheli scops-owl is entirely unprotected. Estimates made in 2000 indicated that this owl's total population amounted to just 400 individuals, therefore, even a small-scale, adverse event could result in its extinction (2).
Moheli scops owl
provided by wikipedia EN
The Moheli scops owl (Otus moheliensis) is a scops owl endemic to the island of Mohéli, one of the Comoro Islands.
Description
The Moheli scops owl has two colour morphs, the rufous morph has reddish-brown plumage which is and weakly marked with dark streaks and bars; the brown morph has a darker brown plumage, which is boldly marked with streaks and vermiculations. Both morphs have yellow-green eyes, grey legs and black beaks.[3] Their length is approximately 22 cm (8.7 in).[4]
Voice
The Moheli scops owl is highly vocal, producing hissing whistles and screeches in a series of five notes, as well as screeching.[4]
Distribution and habitat
This owl is found only on the mountain in the centre of the island of Mohéli, the total range covering 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi), including the highest point of the ridge, at 790 m (2,590 ft) in altitude, and the adjacent upper slopes.[3] It occurs in dense humid forest, which is rich in epiphytes between 450 and 790 m (1,480 and 2,590 ft).[4]
Behaviour
The Moheli scops owl is strictly nocturnal and becomes active only after sunset. Calling males have been recorded in September. The diet is probably mainly made up of insects.[4]
Conservation and status
The species was only described in 1998.[4] It has an estimated population of 400, and is classified as critically endangered due to it being restricted to such a small area, which is being rapidly deforested. In 1995, only five percent of the island still had intact, dense, humid forest. As well as habitat loss, other threats to the Moheli scops owl include hunting and black rats, which may eat its eggs and young but also compete with it for food. At present, the montane forest where the Moheli scops owl occurs is not protected.[3]
References
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Moheli scops owl: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The Moheli scops owl (Otus moheliensis) is a scops owl endemic to the island of Mohéli, one of the Comoro Islands.
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