Whenever a wild animal like the Lanyu Scops-Owl chooses to surprise us by entering our homes, we are presented with a valuable learning opportunity.
A blinking owl is perched on a towel rack, having accidentally flown into a bathroom in Keelung City. Mr. Zhang, after posting this video on social media, contacted the Keelung City Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office (APHIO).
The Lanyu Scops-Owl is a subspecies of Elegant Scops-Owl, scientifically named Otus elegans botelensis. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, this nocturnal hunter is highly adaptable and often appears in areas settled by humans. Many other netizens have also posted various photos of owls unexpectedly visiting their homes.
However cute these owls are, APHIO Keelung City Branch Director Chen Pai-ting (陳柏廷) warns that capturing, raising, and/or harming this species is illegal, and those who do so can be held criminally liable.
The Lanyu Scops-Owl is a small bird of prey at 25 cm long when fully grown. It does not build nests, instead living in holes in trees, and feeds on smaller birds, rodents, and amphibians. Normally residing in low-altitude broad-leaved forests, the Lanyu Scops-Owl has gradually integrated into human society as land development encroaches on its habitat. To be considerate of local wildlife, owl one needs to do is learn about our animal neighbors.