Mantanani Scops Owl (Otus mantananensis) [XC39687]
by Paul Noakes from Pandan Island, Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines (?)
Mantanani Scops Owl (Otus mantananensis) [XC379318]
by Ross Gallardy from Caba Island, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, MIMAROPA, Philippines (call)
Subspecies
Probably forms superspecies with Moluccan Scops-Owl (Otus magicus), the two being closely allied to the Sulawesi Scops-Owl (Otus manadensis) superspecies. Previously treated as conspecific with Common Scops-Owl (Otus scops) or Oriental Scops-Owl (Otus sunia), but vocally distinct from both. Island population off northern Luzon (calayensis), included with Ryukyu Scops-Owl (Otus elegans), sometimes placed with present species. Sulu form sibutuensis has been considered subspecies of Sulawesi Scops-Owl (Otus manadensis). Tumindao population (steerei) regarded as inseparable from sibutuensis. Racial allocation highly tentative, however, as no specimens known for many of islands listed.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
romblonis McGregor, 1905 - Banton, Sibuyan, Romblon, Tablas, Tres Reyes and Semirara, in central Philippines.
cuyensis McGregor, 1904 - Southern Calamian Is (Dicabaito, Linapacan) and Cuyo I.
mantananensis (Sharpe, 1892) - Mantanani I, off northern Borneo, and islands off southern coast of Palawan.
sibutuensis (Sharpe, 1893) - Sibutu and Tumindao, in south-western Sulu Is.