- Andaman Scops Owl
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Andaman Scops Owl Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Genus: Otus Species: O. balli Binomial name Otus balli
(Hume, 1873)ustification This species is listed as Near Threatened because it has a moderately small range, within which habitat is declining in quality and extent. However, the species is tolerant of considerable human modification of its habitat and thus it is unlikely to be more threatened.
Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)
Distribution and population Otus balli is an endemic resident in the Andaman islands, India, where it was common, at least early in the twentieth century. Its current status is unclear, although it appears to be easily found and therefore probably common. There seems little reason to expect its population to be under immediate threat given its tolerance of disturbed areas.
Population justification The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as not uncommon (Konig et al. 1999).
Trend justification The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.
Ecology It occurs in trees in semi-open or cultivated areas and around human settlements. It feeds at night on insects and nests in February-April.
Threats Forest loss is accelerating on the Andamans owing to development of the coastline and possibly small scale agricultural encroachment.
Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II.
Conservation measures proposed Protect some areas of lowland forest within the species's range. Enforce restrictions on agricultural encroachment and logging within such protected areas. Compare population densities in human modified areas and natural forest, and generate a revised population estimate for the species. Encourage developments to be sensitive to the species; it could easily occur within resorts.
References BirdLife International (2001). Click for a full list of reference citations.
Further web sources of information
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).
Text account compilers Phil Benstead and Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International).
IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International)
Recommended citation BirdLife International (2011) Species factsheet: Otus balli. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 14/09/2011. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2011) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 14/09/2011.
This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.
References
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