Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)

Authority: Melo et al., 2022

Red List Category

Criteria: B1ab(iii)

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Justification of Red List category
Due to its very small range, occurrence within a single location in respect of the threat from introduced mammals and continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of its habitat, Principe Scops-owl is Critically Endangered. That the species has only been formally described recently prevents the estimation of population trends, however the closely sympatric Principe Thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus is known to be declining with the scops-owl suspected to share the threats to the thrush, especially that from nest predation by the introduced Mona Monkey Cercopitheca mona.

Population size: 813-2533,1149-1597 mature individuals

Population trend: decreasing

Extent of occurrence (breeding/resident): 64 km²

Country endemic: yes