Cyprus Scops Owl

Cyprus Scops Owl

Otus cyprius
Nikokleia, Cyprus - March 30 2017
Cyprus Scops Owl perched.
Since this taxon became split from the widespread Eurasian Scops Owl, Cyprus now has an endemic bird species that could not be seen anywhere else outside the island. We found them to be pleasingly common, at least where we searched for them in the Nikokleia area not far from Paphos. This bird and his/her mate were present in the hotel garden where we stayed.