Species information
Scientific name: Otus semitorques pryeri
Japanese name: リュウキュウオオコノハズク
Chinese name: 日本領角鴞（琉球亞種）、北領角鴞（琉球亞種）
English name: Japanese scops owl
Origin: Okinawajima, Yakushima. Previously recorded on Ishigaki and Iriomote, but not observed in recent years.
Ecology and description
The Japanese scops owl (also known as northern scops owl) is distributed in Japan, China, Korea, and Russia. It is divided into 3 subspecies:
- O. s. ussuriensis: distributed in northeastern China, southeastern Siberia, and the Korean Peninsula
- O. s. semitorques: found in the Kuril Islands, from Hokkaido southwards to Yakushima
- O. s. pryeri: found in the Central and Southern Ryukyu Islands
The body length of Japanese scops owl is about 22cm, slightly larger than the similar species Okinawa scops owl (Otus elegans elegans), also found in Yambaru. It is less commonly seen than Okinawa scops owl. The iris color distinguishes them: Japanese scops owl has red irises, while Okinawa scops owl has yellow irises.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
During our 【Night Birding】 tour, this species is sometimes observed. It is the least numerous among the three owl species residing on Okinawajima, rarely calls, and is thus hard to find — spotting it is often a matter of luck. Based on our experience, it is seen more frequently in winter.
