Sulawesi Scops-Owl Otus manadensis Scientific name definitions

A small scops-owl with conspicuous ear tufts and bright yellow eyes, the Sulawesi Scops-Owl is a relatively common species in the Sulawesi bioregion, occurring on the main island of Sulawesi and several of its satellites. Historically, it also included the Banggai Scops-Owl (Otus mendeni) of Peleng, off the east coast of Sulawesi, but the latter is now considered to represent a distinct species, principally on account of its distinctive vocalizations. Similarly, birds on the Tukangbesi Islands, off southeast Sulawesi, were previously considered part of Sulawesi Scops-Owl (Otus manadensis), however on bioacoustic evidence this population is now aligned instead with the Moluccan Scops-Owl (Otus magicus).

Despite this species being quite common, and therefore not of particular conservation concern, most aspects of its natural history remain unknown, with no data concerning, for example, its breeding biology or diet.