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 <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). 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 (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is unknown, but is not suspected to be small, hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified. Descriptions of its abundance range from rare (e.g. König et al. 1999) to local and uncommon (e.g. Allen 2020), however citizen science data (eBird 2023) reveal it to be rather common where survey effort overlaps with the correct elevation at night. Given that approximately 8,000 km2 of forest lies in its mapped range, the population size is therefore not believed to be especially small, and there is relatively high certainty that it exceeds 10,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The only acting threat to this species is habitat loss, caused principally by shifting agriculture and degradation at the lowest elevations of its range. Remote sensing data reveal the rate of loss to be very slow, equivalent to 2-4% of the mapped range being lost in the past ten years (2012-2022) (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). It is plausible that this rate is an overestimate of population declines, since most of these losses are between 1,000-1,200 m elevation, where the species is reportedly less common than at higher elevations. Precautionarily, the trend is suspected to be declining at an ongoing rate of 1-5% over ten years.
Otus mirus is endemic to Mindanao in the Philippines. Previously known from only Mt Hilong-hilong, Mt Apo, Mt Kitangland and Lake Sebu (Collar et al. 1999), it has more recently been recorded in almost all areas of montane forest on the island, including Mt Malindang, Mt Hamiguitan and Mt Tagubud (eBird 2023).
The species occurs in montane forests above 1,500 m (Allen 2020, eBird 2023).
Forest loss is the only identified threat to this species, and rates have been slow over the past 20 years (Global Forest Watch 2023). Most forest loss has been at the lowest limits of this species' elevational range (where densities are reportedly also at their lowest: Allen 2020) and appears to chiefly consist of agricultural encroachment amassing to a 1-5% population reduction over the past ten years.
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Much of this species' mapped range is circumscribed by protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023), which appear to have been relatively successful in preventing significant forest incursions. No other conservation action (targeted or general) is known for this species.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mindanao Highland Scops-owl Otus mirus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mindanao-highland-scops-owl-otus-mirus on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.