| Sokoke Scops Owl | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Otus |
| Species: | O. ireneae |
| Binomial name | |
| Otus ireneae Ripley, 1966 |
|
The Sokoke Scops Owl, Otus ireneae, is an owl found in Kenya and Tanzania. The greatest population of this species of owl is in the Cynometra-Manilkara forest, which is less than one-third of the Sokoke forest. It is also found in the Afzelia-Cynometra forest.
The Sokoke Scops Owl can grow up to 61⁄4 to 61⁄2 inches (16 to 17 cm), can weigh up to 2 ounces (57 g), and is the smallest scops owl of the Otus genus. It is insectivorous and can be either grey or rufous-brown.