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New owl species found in São Tomé and Príncipe
7:54 CAT | 01 Nov 2022
Photo: Martim Melo via Publico
A species of owl previously unknown to scientists has been discovered on an island off the west coast of Africa.
Researchers found the bird on Príncipe island – part of the country of São Tomé and Príncipe – and have named the owl after its home.
The Príncipe Scops Owl is small and brown with big yellow eyes, and has a uniquely short hoot – described as sounding like insect calls.
Only 1,500 of them are believed to exist and scientists are asking for the bird to be given critically endangered status as it can only be found on the island.
We used morphometrics, plumage colour and pattern, vocalisations, and molecular data, and we found that the Principe Scops-owl has a unique call – you can listen to them in @xenocanto https://t.co/fr5EFjsgWb
— Bárbara Freitas (@brbbfreitas) November 1, 2022
In 2009 @RitaCovas found a letter in @AMNH archives: in 1928 the collector José Correia reported to Gordon Cushman Murphy that although he didn’t see any owl, some residents told about the presence of owls in the forests but it could take up to 10 years before they could find 1.
— Bárbara Freitas (@brbbfreitas) November 1, 2022
Source: BBC
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