Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be locally common (del Hoyo et al. 1999). This species is considered to have a high dependency on forest habitat, and tree cover is estimated to have declined by 2.5% within its mapped range over the past 10 years (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). It is therefore tentatively suspected that this rate of cover loss may have led to a decline of between 1-19% in the species' population size over the same time frame, with a best estimate of reduction being less than 5%.
Trend justification
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O. megalotis is found on Luzon, Marinduque and Catanduanes in the Philippines, where it is presumed to be 'locally not rare' (Konig and Weick 2008, D. Allen in litt. 2013).
Occurs in dense tropical forest and secondary woodland between 300 and 1,600 m, up to 2,000 m at some locations (Konig and Weick 2008). Breeding is thought likely to take place in tree holes or in uprooted trees, family groups of two adults and a single immature have been observed roosting in an upturned decaying tree's roots (Konig and Weick 2008). Does also apparently occur on the outskirts of built-up areas, even suburbia (D. Allen in litt. 2013).
23-28 cm. A fairly large scops owl with prominent ear tufts, brownish underparts and prominent paler scapular line. The tarsi are feathered down to the toes. Similar spp. O.everetti lacks the scapular line and lacks the feathering of the upper part of the feet, which are also smaller. O. nigrorum is smaller and has white underparts. Voice. An explosive series of 3-6 descending notes, each of which has a rising inflection.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Contributors
Allen, D.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Luzon Lowland Scops-owl Otus megalotis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/luzon-lowland-scops-owl-otus-megalotis on 20/12/2024.
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 20/12/2024.