Editing Japanese scops owl

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
 | image             = リュウキュウオオコノハズク.jpg
 | image_caption     = ''Otus semitorques pryeri'' on [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]]
 | status            = LC
 | status_system     = IUCN3.1
 | status_ref        = <ref name=IUCN>BirdLife International (2014). [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/61859151/0 ''Otus semitorques'']. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3</ref>
 | status2           = CITES_A2 
 | status2_system    = CITES 
 | status2_ref       = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES | url               = https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php | access-date       = 2022-01-14 | website           = cites.org}}</ref>
 | genus             = Otus
 | species           = semitorques
 | authority         = [[Coenraad Jacob Temminck|Temminck]] & [[Hermann Schlegel|Schlegel]], 1845
}}

The '''Japanese scops-owl''' (''Otus semitorques'') is a small owl species in the family [[True owl|Strigidae]], or true owl family. It is a member of the genus ''[[Scops owl|Otus]],'' the scops owl genus. It is resident to Japan, China, Korea, and Russia.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Japanese scops-owls have a grey-brown plumage, red eyes, and prominent ear tufts. They resides in forests, woodlands, and mountains. They are [[Carnivore|carnivorous]], mainly feeding on [[invertebrate]]s and small [[rodent]]s. They nest in tree hollows and raise a small brood. Males use their vocalizations to attract mates or deter predators.

== Taxonomy ==
The Japanese scops-owl was first classified by Temminck and Schlegel in 1845. It is part of the family [[True owl|Strigidae]], the true owl family, which contains 90% of all owl species. The other 10% of owls are part of the family [[Barn-owl|Tytonidae]], the barn owl family.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} The Japanese scops-owl is part of the genus ''[[Scops owl|Otus]]'' which is the largest genus of owls.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Holt |first1=Denver W. |last2=Berkley |first2=Regan |last3=Deppe |first3=Caroline |last4=Enríquez |first4=Paula L. |last5=Petersen |first5=Julie L. |last6=Rangel Salazar |first6=José Luis |last7=Segars |first7=Kelley P. |last8=Wood |first8=Kristin L. |last9=Marks |first9=Jeffrey S. |date=2020 |title=Japanese Scops-Owl (Otus semitorques), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/jasowl1/cur/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.jasowl1.01 |issn=2771-3105|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This genus includes 59 species of scops-owls found throughout [[Afro-Eurasia]]. The genus ''Otus'' was first introduced by Thomas Pennant in 1769 with the discovery of the [[Indian scops owl|Indian scops-owl]].<ref name=":2" /> The Japanese scops-owl is closely related to the [[Indian scops owl|Indian scops-owl]] (''Otus bakkamoena'') and was once thought to be the same species.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} It is also related to the [[Collared scops owl|Collared scops-owl]] (''Otus lettia'') and the [[Sunda scops owl|Sunda scops-owl]] (''Otus lempiji''). These four species are sometimes considered [[conspecific]] and can be combined into a species known as the Collard scops-owl (''Otus bakkamoena)''{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}. The genus name ''Otus'', derived from Latin, means small-eared owl.

Three [[subspecies]] are recognised:<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela Rasmussen | date=July 2023 | title=Owls | work=IOC World Bird List Version 13.2 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/owls/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=25 October 2023 }}</ref>

* ''O. s. ussuriensis'' ([[Sergei Buturlin|Buturlin]], 1910) – northeast China, southeast Siberia and [[Korea|Korea Peninsula]]
* ''O. s. semitorques'' [[Coenraad Jacob Temminck|Temminck]] & [[Hermann Schlegel|Schlegel]], 1845 – [[Kuril Islands]] and [[Hokkaido]] south to Yakushima ([[Ōsumi Islands]], south Japan)
* ''O. s. pryeri'' ([[John Henry Gurney Sr.|Gurney, JH Sr]], 1889) – [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] to Iriomote (central, south [[Ryukyu Islands]], south Japan)

== Description ==
Japanese scops-owls are {{convert|16.5|–|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall, and their [[wingspan]] is {{convert|60|–|66|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Deignan |first=H. G. |date=1950 |title=The Races of the Collared Scops Owl, Otus bakkamoena Pennant |journal=The Auk |volume=67 |issue=2 |pages=189–201 |doi=10.2307/4081212 |issn=0004-8038|doi-access=free |jstor=4081212 }}</ref> They weigh {{convert|130|-|200|g|oz|abbr=on}}. Their [[plumage]] is gray and brown, resembling the bark of a tree which helps them camouflage in their environment.<ref name=":4" /> Their wings are long, around {{convert|153|–|196|mm|in|abbr=on}}, and pointed. Furthermore, like most [[Scops owl|scops-owls]], they have prominent ear tufts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Deane |title=Japanese Scops Owl (Otus semitorques) - Information, Pictures |url=https://www.owlpages.com/owls/species.php?s=770 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=The Owl Pages |language=en}}</ref> This species has a pale grey-brown [[facial disc]], intense red eyes, green feet, with feathered toes, and a green bill.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Nishimura |first1=Hiroyuki |last2=Nakamuta |first2=Nobuaki |last3=Yamamoto |first3=Yoshio |date=2023 |title=Adaptive features of the eye to the ecological habit of the short-eared owl Asio flammeus and Japanese scops owl Otus semitorques |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/osj/22/1/22_35/_article/-char/ja/ |journal=Ornithological Science |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=35–44 |doi=10.2326/osj.22.35|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It is often confused with the [[Collared scops owl|Collard scops-owl]] which is smaller and whiter than the Japanese scops-owl. It is also confused with the [[Northern white-faced owl]] which is also whiter than the Japanese Scops-Owl but relatively the same size. This species can reach flight speeds of 80 kph (50&nbsp;mph).

== Habitat and distribution ==
Japanese scops-owls live in forested habitats such as lowland forests, wooded plain and forested hillsides, as well as woodlands and mountains.<ref name=":5" /> They can be found in habitats at elevations between sea-level and 900 meters. They can also be found in the parks and gardens of villages.<ref name=":2" /> This species is [[Resident species|resident]], but it can do small-scale migrations. Japanese scops-owls can move locally depending on the seasons, coming at lower elevations in winter.<ref name=":2" /> Japanese scops-owls are found in Japan, Korea, China, and Russia. ''Otus semitorques ussriensis'' is found in [[Sakhalin]], [[Ussuriland]] and [[Northeast China|Northeastern China]]. ''Otus semitorques semitorques'' is resident to the [[Korean Peninsula]], [[Jeju Island]], [[Kuril Islands]], [[Sado Island]], [[Tsushima Island]], [[Gotō Islands|Goto Islands]], [[Hokkaido]] and [[Yakushima]]. ''Otus semitorques pryeri'' inhabits [[Izu Islands]] and [[Ryukyu Islands]].<ref name=":2" />

== Behavior and ecology ==

=== Hunting and feeding ===
Japanese scops-owls feed primarily on [[invertebrate]]s (insects, millipedes, centipedes, crustaceans) then followed by small [[rodent]]s (voles and mice).<ref name=":2" /> They can also feed on small [[bird]]s, [[frog]]s, [[lizard]]s, [[snake]]s and [[fish]]. They are active predators meaning they mostly search for prey while flying. Still, they sometimes perch to hunt.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Liang |first1=Hongchun |last2=Li |first2=Ning |last3=Chen |first3=Zhaorong |date=November 2016 |title=The Prey Tactics by Two Owl Species in the Forest of Northeastern China |url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.25225/fozo.v65.i3.a5.2016 |journal=Folia Zoologica |language=en |volume=65 |issue=3 |pages=208–213 |doi=10.25225/fozo.v65.i3.a5.2016 |issn=0139-7893|url-access=subscription }}</ref> When consuming rodents, they most often go for juveniles as it is easier to find sedentary prey such as juveniles in a nest. They hunt in open areas and rely on auditory cues to detect prey and prey nests.<ref name=":6" /> Their eyes are adapted to [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] living which explains why they hunt at night.<ref name=":5" />

=== Breeding ===
Japanese scops-owls are solitary until [[breeding season]]. They are a [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] species, and they form pairs which they keep through the breeding season. Males lure females with their vocalization to a nest they have prepared. The males often will reuse the old nests of other birds. The females choose their partner based on their nest building skills and how much food is in the nest. Japanese scops-owl nest from March to July. They nest mostly in tree cavities or [[nest box]]es.<ref name=":2" /> They lay their eggs in March.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last1=Toyama |first1=M. |last2=Kotaka |first2=N. |last3=Koizumi |first3=I. |date=November 2015 |title=Breeding timing and nest predation rate of sympatric scops owls with different dietary niche breadth |url=https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjz-2015-0060 |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=93 |issue=11 |pages=841–847 |doi=10.1139/cjz-2015-0060 |issn=0008-4301|hdl=1807/69904 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> The female [[Egg incubation|incubates]] the eggs for 3 to 4 weeks during which the male will bring her food. [[Fledge|Fledgling]] occurs in May and June.<ref name=":7" /> The owlets are born naked with a few [[down feather]]s, and they can fly at 4 to 6 weeks. Females lay one clutch of 2 to 5 eggs per season except if the eggs are destroyed. On average, 1 to 3 eggs will hatch.<ref name=":7" /> The main [[Predation|predators]] of this species are [[snake]]s and they attack their eggs. Japanese scops-owls compete with [[Ryūkyū scops owl|Ryukyu scops-owls]] (''Otus elegans)'' for nests since nests that are higher in elevation receive less snake predation.<ref name=":7" /> Japanese scops-owls have a lifespan of 12 years.

=== Vocalization ===
Japanese scops-owls have varied vocalizations including screeches, meows, hoots and chatters. They screech mostly to deter predators. Males usually give repeated deep {{Not a typo|"whook"}} at different intervals. Some of their other calls are described as {{Not a typo|"kwe"}} or {{Not a typo|"koo"}} notes. They also repeat {{Not a typo|"kwee-kwee"}} and {{Not a typo|"pew-u, pew-u"}} sounds.<ref name=":2" />

== Conservation status ==
Japanese scops-owls are considered of [[Least-concern species|Least Concern]] by the [[IUCN Red List]]. They are found throughout a large range and their [[population trend]] is stable.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japanese Scops-owl (Otus semitorques) - BirdLife species factsheet |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/61859151 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=datazone.birdlife.org}}</ref> They are common and live in close proximity to humans. Still, especially in Korea, Japanese scops-owls are prone to [[anthropogenic impact]]s. Traffic accidents, [[habitat destruction]], hunting and poisoning pose serious threats to this species and could negatively affect its population size in the long run.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hong |first1=Yoon Jee |last2=Kim |first2=Young Jun |last3=Murata |first3=Koichi |last4=Lee |first4=Hang |last5=Min |first5=Mi-Sook |date=2013 |title=Determining the Specific Status of Korean Collared Scops Owls |url=http://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201314358625569.page |journal=Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=136–143 |doi=10.5635/ASED.2013.29.2.136 |issn=2234-6953|doi-access=free }}</ref>[[File:Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum 2018 (005).jpg|thumb|[[Hagiyama ware]] [[Japanese incense|incense]] container in the shape of an owl, late [[Edo Period]]]]

== Cultural significance ==
In [[Culture of Japan|Japanese culture]], owls symbolize good luck, wisdom and protection against misfortune. [[Scops owl|scops-owls]] can be found represented in [[Japanese art]] such as pottery and paintings. They are also often depicted in literature and films due to their unique and mysterious appearance.

== References ==
<references />

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1272534}}

[[Category:Otus (bird)]]
[[Category:Birds of Japan]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1845]]