white faced scops owl (1 Viewer)

Trystan

Well-known member

• Feb 9, 2011

• #1

It came to my attention today that white faced scops owl was split into northern white faced owl (Philopsis leucotid) and southern white faced owl (P granti)

I saw one of these birds in Kenya at lake baringo several years ago and am trying to figure out which it would be. I have seen reports with one or the other reported from this area.

Does anyone know whether they overlap here or can I safely assume one type or the other?

Thanks

 

O

Owl Capone

Well-known member

• Feb 9, 2011

• #2

Hi, I saw probably the same ones at Baringo campsite and have been told they are Northerns

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Feb 9, 2011

• #3

Clements lists "central Kenya" as northern and "SW Kenya" as southern. While not definitive, to me that sounds like the difference between Rift Valley versus Maasai Mara.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Feb 10, 2011

• #4

König et Weick list Northern Kenya and Southern Kenya respectively, with the note that the two species probably overlap in Kenya. So unless someone have actively identified the field marks at those individuals, it probably is a risky proposition to id by range within Kenya.

Niels

 

chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• Feb 10, 2011

• #5

I'm not sure where they overlap but I think the only way, at present, to ID them is by voice.

Chris

 

Trystan

Well-known member

• Feb 10, 2011

• #6

Thanks, for the responses, I guess I'll have to keep it lumped for now at least.

Chris, your year list is almost my life list!

 

O

Owl Capone

Well-known member

• Feb 10, 2011

• #7

If you read the various trip reports they all refer to the Baringo birds as Northern White-faced Owl. I dont know how accurate they are however, and on what basis, but have seen nobody refer to them as Southerns, presumably somebody must have heard them