Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis) [XC197394]
by Frank Lambert from Taluditi, Pohuwato, Gorontalo, Indonesia (call)
Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis) [XC194392]
by Mike Catsis from Palolo, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia (song)
Subspecies
Probably forms superspecies with Ryukyu Scops-Owl (Otus elegans) and Sangihe Scops-Owl (Otus collari). Formerly treated as conspecific with Moluccan Scops-Owl (Otus magicus) and also sometimes as including Biak Scops-Owl (Otus beccarii) as subspecies. Recently listed as including Ryukyu Scops-Owl (Otus elegans) as subspecies, perhaps in error. Has traditionally been considered to include birds from Sangihe I, recently described as Sangihe Scops-Owl (Otus collari). Sulu form sibutuensis, included with Mantanani Scops-Owl (Otus mantananensis), sometimes placed with present species. Classification and true affinities of Otus taxa in south-eastern Asia, particularly island forms, highly complex, with relationship between present species and Moluccan Scops-Owl (Otus magicus) not fully understood; taxonomic status of subspecies treated under present species unclear, with some or all sometimes treated under Moluccan Scops-Owl (Otus magicus), and current arrangement tentative. In particular, siaoensis, with shorter wings and much shorter and more narrowly barred tail may well be specifically distinct; sulaensis morphologically closer to Moluccan Scops-Owl (Otus magicus) and probably better placed with that species, or perhaps specifically distinct. Subspecies mendeni and kalidupae are little known.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
siaoensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1830) - Siau Island. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Siau Scops-Owl (Otus siaoensis).
manadensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1830) - Sulawesi.
mendeni Neumann, 1939 - Banggai Is (Peleng, perhaps also Labobo). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Banggai Scops-Owl (Otus mendeni).
sulaensis (Hartert, 1898) - Sula Is (Taliabu, Seho, Mangole, Sanana). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Sula Scops-Owl (Otus sulaensis).
kalidupae (Hartert, 1903) - Tukangbesi Is (Kaledupa).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet