New Owl Species Found in Central Africa After Unconfirmed Sightings Since the 1920s [Study]

A new owl species called Principe Scops-Owl, with a scientific name of Otus bikegila, was finally found and recognized in Central Africa after unconfirmed sightings were reported since the 1920s, according to a new study. Its habitat was found in Principe, an island in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Africa. Principe Island is part of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

The existence of the potentially nocturnal bird was made possible due to extensive exploration of the island. Scientific curiosity towards the new owl species came in 1998 and eventually led to its unofficial discovery in 2016, six years prior to the said study. Still, anecdotal evidence from testimonies of local people suggests the existence of Principe Scops-Owl can be traced back as far as the year 1928.

New Owl Species Discovery

The official recognition of the new owl species was published in the journal Zookeys on Sunday, October 30; wherein researchers involved in the study said the discovery immediately found Principe Scops-Owl is highly threatened and highlights the "current biodiversity predicament." Nevertheless, that area of sighting of the new bird species is within the range of the Principe Obo Natural Park for expected protection.

The research team also found O. bikegila to be the eight known bird species endemic to Principe, further emphasizing the unusually high degree of bird endemism in the small island of only 139 square kilometers. Genetic data also indicates the island was also likely the first in the Gulf of Guinea to be colonized by the Principe Scops-Owl species.

In particular, phylogenetic analyses assert the species descended from the first colonization of the Gulf of Guinea islands; wherein O. bikegila is related to the mainland African Scops-Owl (O. senegalensis), Sao Tome Scops-Owl (O. hartlaubi), and Pemba Scops-Owl (O. pembaensis), according to the new research.

Principe Scops-Owl Habitat

The new research consisted of an international team led by Martin Melo from CIBIO and the Science Museum of the University of Porto, which were able to contribute in the extensive surveying of the entire Principe Island, determining the distribution and population size of the new species.

Related results of the study published in the journal Bird Conservation International on Monday, October 31, reveal that members of the Principe Scops-Owl species can only be found in the remaining old-growth native forest of the island, particularly in its uninhabited southern part.

Furthermore, this area with the size of 15 square kilometers has a relatively high population density of the owls, ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 individuals, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) summarizes.

The researchers stated the discovery of the Principe Scops-Owl only came into fruition due to the help of local knowledge shared by Ceciliano do Bom Jesus, nicknamed "Bikegila." The team explains the name of the new owl species is a homage to Bikegila, who was a former parrot harvester from Principe Island and currently a ranger of the said natural park, as cited by the AAAS.