The Mindoro scops owl (Otus mindorensis) is an owl that is native to the Mindoro island in the Philippines. It is found in tropical moist montane forests above 870 masl. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Ebird describes this bird as "A fairly small owl of lower-elevation montane forest on the island of Mindoro, where it is the only scops-owl. Generally dark brown in plumage with a speckled pattern, warmer brown on the face and chest. Note the yellow eyes and short ear tufts. Song is a medium-pitched, whistled “weeuuu” which rises and falls slightly and is repeated at intervals, often in response to another individual.a
Its diet is not known but presumed to be the insects. [1]
A specimen collected in the year 1896 reports that Mindoro Scop Owls have well developed eggs. Other collected specimens have well-developed gonads in the months of January to May[2] Their eggs and nests are not described.
They live in a terrestrial environment and their main habitat consists of the highly elevated forests with a very small global range[3] Meaning they do not migrate or have movement patterns. The ongoing clearance of forest habitats has slightly affected their habitat.
The Mindoro scops owl is a near threatened species due to on-going habitat destruction and is estimated to have 10,000-19,999 mature individuals with the population believed to be declining[4]