Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a relatively small range and is suspected to have a moderately small population that is declining due to forest loss. However, its appears at least somewhat tolerant of human-modified landscapes, therefore rates of population decline are suspected to be lower than those of forest loss. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. However, further research is needed into the species' population size and structure, and the impact of forest loss on the population.
Population justification
This species is described as generally uncommon, but recent records from St Paul Subterranean National Park suggest it may be locally common (Allen 2020). Given that it has a relatively small range of not more than 27,000 km2 and occurs predominantly in lowland forest, the population is unlikely to exceed the band 10,000-19,999 mature individuals. However, this is a preliminary estimate of poor data quality that requires clarification.
Trend justification
The only identified threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation. In the ten years to 2022, forest cover on Palawan declined by c.9% (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). The rate of forest loss appears to be increasing - the reduction in tree cover over the next three generations is suspected to be c.12%, based on the rate of loss over the last five years (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). However, the species is reportedly tolerant of some habitat degradation, occurring in secondary growth and mixed cultivation (Allen 2020), therefore it is suspected to be declining at a rate somewhat slower than the rate of habitat loss.
Otus fuliginosus is endemic to the Philippines where it is known from Palawan and the adjacent island of Balabac, with an unconfirmed report from Calauit (Collar et al. 1999). The location of the island of 'Alabagin', mentioned in Collar et al. (1999) as being occupied by this species on account of a single specimen, is entirely obscure. On Palawan, there are records from Kinalaykayan and Dicabaitot, St Paul's Subterranean River National Park, Cleopatra's Needle, Buenavista, Iwahig Penal Colony, the vicinity of Puerto Princesa, Quezon at Tabon, Singnapan at Kabasakan, Pinikpikan and Tining-luan, Taguso, Mt Mantalingajan at Pinigisan and Tigwayan, Batarasa. Although described as rare and evidently a bird of lowland forest, the emerging evidence from knowledge of its voice is that it is much more common and more widespread than was supposed.
The species occurs primarily in lowland forest, but can adapt to secondary growth and mixed cultivation with trees (Allen 2020).
Ongoing habitat clearance through agricultural expansion and logging represent the main threats to this species. In the 10 years to 2022, forest cover on Palawan declined by c.9%, and the rate of forest loss appears to be increasing (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein).
Conservation Actions Underway
No species-specific actions are known, but the species has been recorded from St Paul's Subterranean River National Park. It is listed in CITES Appendix II.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Haskell, L.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Palawan Scops-owl Otus fuliginosus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/palawan-scops-owl-otus-fuliginosus on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.