Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic note
Tyto tenebricosa and T. multipunctata (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) were previously lumped as T. tenebricosa following Norman et al. (2002) and Christidis and Boles (2008), before which they had been split following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) and Christidis and Boles (1994). Closely related to T. tenebricosa, and commonly treated as conspecific, in part due to their genetic proximity (Christidis and Boles 2008, Norman et al. 2002). On basis of published information (Higgins 1999), however, present species differs in much smaller size (effect size for female wing -10.4; score 4); longest primary P7, not P8 (1); slightly greyer plumage (ns1); more heavily spotted upperparts (ns1); white breast with dark markings vs dark with white (2); vermiculations of wings and tail much heavier and arranged in distinct cross-bands (1); more extensively white bases of flight-feathers and secondary coverts, forming larger pale centre of underwing (1); sexual size dimorphism weaker (ns); different calls (although probably a function of smaller size) (1). Thus, here recognized as a separate species, although occurring between the ranges of the two subspecies of T. tenebricosa; these two species have occasionally been separated in genus Megastrix. As recently as 1940, present species was considered not to differ even subspecifically from T. t. tenebricosa. Monotypic.
Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
Migratory status |
not a migrant |
Forest dependency |
medium |
Land-mass type |
|
Average mass |
- |
Population justification: It has been estimated to number c.2,000 breeding pairs (Higgins 1999). The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Trend justification: The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Lesser Sooty-owl Tyto multipunctata. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lesser-sooty-owl-tyto-multipunctata on 24/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/12/2024.