Ryukyu Scops Owl

Otus elegans elegans

Japanese Name: リュウキュウコノハズク
Chinese Name: 琉球角鴞、優雅角鴞琉球亞種
English Name: Ryukyu Scops Owl
Origin: Ryukyu Islands

The Ryukyu Scops Owl（Otus elegans）is divided into four subspecies:

  • O. e. elegans (Ryukyu Scops Owl, nominate subspecies) – Found in the Ryukyu Islands.
  • O. e. interpositus – Found in the Daito Islands. It is smaller than the Ryukyu　Scops Owl nominate subspecies and has a slightly different call.
  • O. e. botelensis (Lanyu Scops Owl) – Found on Orchid Island (Lanyu), Taiwan.
  • O. e. calayensis – Found in the Batanes and Babuyan Islands, northern Philippines.

The Ryukyu Scops Owl is the most common owl in Okinawa, with a body length of about 20 cm. The main difference between this species and the Ryukyu subspecies of the Japanese scops owl (Otus semitorques pryeri) is the iris color: the Ryukyu Scops Owl has yellow irises, while the Ryukyu subspecies of the Japanese scops owl has red irises. This species breeds from June to July.