The Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) was discovered most recently as the newest bird species in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan ornithologist Deepal Warakagoda identified it in the Kitulgala rainforest with its distinctive poo-ooo call. Six years after its initial auditory identification, it was visually observed by him on 23 January 2001 in Sinharaja. It was later formally described as a new species to science in 2004.
Distribution
It has been found in Runakanda Reserve in Morapitiya and Eratna Gilimale, apart from Sinharaja and Kitulgala. This marks the first instance of a new bird discovery in Sri Lanka since 1868, when the Sri Lanka whistling thrush—previously known as Ceylon whistling thrush—(Myophonus blighi) was identified.
Size – 17 cm
A reddish brown bird, resembling the Collard Scops-owl, has very fine black short bars on its head, with spots on its upperparts. Its facial disk is dark reddish brown without a clear border. Underparts light buff with clear black spots. Belly region almost spotless. Eyes are orange in male while it’s yellow in female. Relatively large yellow beak. Possesses “ear tufts” although the original description considers the “lack of ear tufts” to be a diagnostic feature.
Unobtrusive and infrequent, female giving a short, piping, musical, tremulous PU’U’U that rises slightly and falls again.
No information yet
The Serendib scops owl’s habitat is in the southern rain forests of Sri Lanka. Roots in an altitudinal range from 30 to 50 meters. This owl does not face competition from other nocturnal birds, as their territories are completely different. This species has a very small population and also habitat loss is causing the population to decline. Like most owls Serendib Scops-owl strictly hunt insects, such as beetles and moths, closer the ground at night.
Source – Birds of Sri Lanka – An illustrated guide by Sarath Kotagama & Gamini Ratnaweera -2017
