Sokoke Scops Owl

Sokoke Scops Owl
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Strigiformes
Family:	Strigidae
Genus:	Otus
Species:	O. ireneae
Binomial name
Otus ireneae Ripley, 1966

The Sokoke Scops Owl, Otus ireneae, is an owl found in Kenya and Tanzania. The greatest population of this species of owl is in the Cynometra-Manilkara forest, which is less than one-third of the Sokoke forest. It is also found in the Afzelia-Cynometra forest.

The Sokoke Scops Owl can grow up to 6+¹⁄₄ to 6+¹⁄₂ inches (16 to 17 cm), can weigh up to 2 ounces (57 g), and is the smallest scops owl of the Otus genus. It is insectivorous and can be either grey or rufous-brown.

References

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• http://www.unep-wcmc.org/species/data/species_sheets/sokokesc.htm