Rainforest Scops Owl (Otus rutilus) [XC86593]
by Hans Matheve from Toamasina Province; Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Mantadia, Madagascar (call)
Rainforest Scops Owl (Otus rutilus) [XC208098]
by Barry Edmonston from Andasibe, Perinet, Toamasina, Madagascar (song)
Subspecies
Otus rutilus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Pemba Scops-Owl (Otus pembaensis) following Fry et al. (1988), Anjouan Scops-Owl (Otus capnodes) following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), and, more recently, into Torotoroka Scops Owl (Otus madagascariensis) and Mayotte Scops-Owl (Otus mayottensis) following Rasmussen et al. (2000) and Madagascar Scops-Owl (Otus rutilus) (with species limits accordingly revised).
Probably forms superspecies with Grand Comoro Scops-Owl (Otus pauliani), Anjouan Scops-Owl (Otus capnodes) and Moheli Scops-Owl (Otus moheliensis). Has been considered to include first two, as well as Pemba Scops-Owl (Otus pembaensis) and Seychelles Scops-Owl (Otus insularis), as subspecies. Vocal comparisons and morphology (size, plumage markings, extent of tarsal feathering) indicate that all are specifically distinct. Subspecies mayottensis possibly sufficiently distinct to merit full species status. Further study is required. Population in drier western Madagascar apparently an unrecognized taxon.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
mayottensis Benson, 1960 - Mayotte I (Comoro Is). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Mayotte Scops-Owl (Otus mayottensis).
rutilus (Pucheran, 1849) - Madagascar.
madagascariensis (Grandidier, 1867) - Western Madagascar. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Torotoroka Scops Owl (Otus madagascariensis).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet