Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 250 - 999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation owing to pressure from settlement, encroachment on protected forests from subsistence logging and small-scale mining operations is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Female gives a short, piping, tremulous 'pU'U'u', rising and falling in pitch. Male gives a lower pitched, shorter, less tremulous version. Vocalisations most common in the hours just after dusk and just before dawn.
Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) [XC536427]
by id from Kudawa, Sinharaja, Sri Lanka (subsong)
Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) [XC311407]
by KASUN CHATHURANGA from Kitulgala Kelani Forest reserve, Sri Lanka (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
In range, only the rufous morph of the Sri Lankan subspecies leggei of Oriental Scops-Owl (Otus sunia), which is slightly larger, and has obvious ear-tufts, tarsi feathered to base of toes, and obvious whitish spots on scapulars.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet