ABOUT
About Ryukyu Scops Owl
About 22 cm long, one of the smallest owls found in Japan. The whole body is brown with fine, moth-eaten-looking mottling. It is a year-round resident found from Amami Oshima southward through the Ryukyu Islands, occurring not only in mature forest but also in woodland near houses. Nocturnal, after sunset it repeats a low "koho, koho" call, and the female sometimes answers with a "nya." It preys on insects, spiders, and geckos. It nests in tree hollows, old woodpecker holes, or among the fronds of bird's-nest fern, and lays 4-5 eggs during the breeding season from April to around July. Only the female incubates, but both parents share the work of feeding the chicks, and most fledge around July. Around the time of fledging, chicks are still unsteady in flight and may be found perched on branches close to the ground; rather than picking them up or shining a light on them for long periods, it is best to quietly leave the area. The call itself can be heard year-round, not only during the breeding season.
SAFETY
Observation Safety Notes
Please enjoy Amami's wildlife through photographs. Some species are protected by law or local ordinance, and capturing or removing them is prohibited. In special protection zones within the national park, collecting any wildlife is prohibited entirely. Please check the notes on this page, and confirm local rules before visiting any site.
Wild birds aren't something to catch and take home — they're best enjoyed by observing and photographing them without disturbing them. Keep a good distance, and avoid using playback calls or food to lure them in. Parent birds and chicks are especially sensitive while nesting or breeding; approaching too closely or making noise can cause the nest to be abandoned or the chicks to fail to fledge successfully. Avoid flash or strong lights when photographing at night, and don't share information online that could reveal a nest's exact location.
