Cyprus Scops Owl Otus Cyprius θουπί - Endemic to Cyprus

Cyprus Scops Owl Endemic to Cyprus The Cyprus Scops Owl is a small owl that is unique to Cyprus. Until now based on differences in its plumage and song until recently the Cyprus Scops Owl Otus scops cyprius was treated as a subspecies of the Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops scops which is found in mainland Europe. The Cyprus sub-species was considered as distinct but still likely to breed with the mainland Scops. Taxonomy the science of classifying organisms into species is continually evolving as new information is brought to light and species are lumped when two or more species are merged into one and split when one species is divided into two or more accordingly by taxonomic authorities. In the case of the Cyprus Scops Owl recent studies have shown that its song and plumage are sufficiently distinct from those of the mainland species to suggest that Cyprus birds most probably do not breed with Eurasian Scops Owls after all. In light of this BirdLife International the Red List Authority on birds and the world leader in bird conservation has recognized the Cyprus Scops Owl as a full species Otus cyprius. With the Cyprus Scops Owls global breeding range confined to Cyprus this means that Cyprus has a new endemic bird species! From ,

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