Collared Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena)
Order: STRIGIFORMES
Family: STRIGIDAE Owls
Scientific name: Otus bakkamoena
English name: Collared Scops-Owl
Characteristic: Size 23 cm. An owl with conspicuous ear tufts; body plumage greyish brown; dark forehead contrasting sharply with pale eyebrow; its distinctive fawn-coloured band present around its collar. When exited, it will raise the ear tufts; belly yellowish brown with black longitudinal streaks; large dark brown eyes; short, hook-tipped beak.
Distribution: East Asia, India, Chian, Southeast Asia, Hainan, Taiwan, the Greater Sundas and the Philippines.
Habitat: Found dwelling in all forest types, even in parks, orchards etc. In Sakaerat, it inhabits both the dry evergreen and dry dipterocarp forests.
Habit: Nocturnal in foraging habit; it watches for terrestrial preys, such as large insects, geckos, rodents and small birds, high on the tree. When one is deteched, it will swiftly swoop down to catch with sharp talons. Its remarkably soft plumage and acute sense of hearing assist it in locating and capturing preys. Breeding takes place form May to July, when a clutch of 3-4 white eggs will be laid in a tree hollow. A female performs all the incubating role, while a male acts as a food supplier.
Status: This is a resident owl which is quite common in Sakaerat area. Already protected by local wildlife law as a protected wild animal.
