Sheung Shui 28 Jul 2020 - an interesting Otus....

A very interesting Scops Owl turned up (probably first heard in May) in HK, it was remain unidentified until it was photoed recently. The call (or song) is much better fit Ryukyu Scops Owl rather than the Oriental Scops Owl, which is an uncommon passage migrant / summer breeder here. To me the appearance is so similar and only vocal difference can help....

So questions coming..

Is this a real Ryukyu or just a strange calling Oriental? I bet Ryukyu more.

If this is a Ryukyu, which race? All of them are island endemics and not really migrate....

So, any chances to be an escapee?

Happy Birding...

Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S71897967

possible Ryukyu Scops Owl - the yellow iris and black bill separate from Collared or Mountain Scops Owl

possible Ryukyu Scops Owl 

possible Ryukyu Scops Owl 

possible Ryukyu Scops Owl 

possible Ryukyu Scops Owl - a short calling video

short recording 

https://www.xeno-canto.org/579617

longer recording

https://www.xeno-canto.org/579618