Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

White-fronted scops owl

Otus sagittatus

John Cassin, 1848

In Thai: นกเค้าหน้าผากขาว

The white-fronted scops owl (Otus sagittatus) is a small Asian owl in the family Strigidae. It has a small and declining population about which little is known, and is dependent on lowland and foothill forests which are rapidly being destroyed. This species of owl is considered vulnerable and has a population of about 2, 500–10, 000. Its range covers 149000 km2 of forest at altitudes of 0 - 700 m above sea-level.

The white-fronted scops owl was described by the American ornithologist John Cassin in 1849 and given the binomial name Ephialtes sagittatus. The species is monotypic.

The white-fronted scops owl has two camouflage modes. The first is that it can puff up its feathers to triple its body size. The second is that it can stretch its body upwards and turn its head at an angle in the direction of a predator from which it is hiding, reducing its profile and hence visibility.

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Category / Seasonal Status

Wiki listed status (concerning Thai population): Rare

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae
Genus
Otus
Species
Otus sagittatus

Common names

  • Thai: นกเค้าหน้าผากขาว

Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN3.1)

Vulnerable (IUCN3.1)

Vulnerable (IUCN3.1)

Vulnerable (BirdLife)

Endangered (IUCN3.1)

Endangered (ONEP)

Endangered (IUCN3.1)

Endangered (BCST)

Photos

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White-fronted scops owl
White-fronted scops owl

Range Map

Distribution map of White-fronted scops owl, Otus sagittatus in Thailand
  • Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Thung Khai Botanic Garden
Range map of Otus sagittatus in Thailand