Sulawesi Scops Owl

This is the photograph of Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis) which I took in at the farm area of Subdistrict town of Sonder. The bird was calling at dusk. I mimicked his sound several times and in less than 5 minutes he flew to and landed on the branch of a tree near me. 

Sulawesi Scops Owl

Because the tree was located at a the side of a road, the bird was disturbed by the sounds from humans and the lights of the nearby houses. He later flew to higher branches of another tree. Fortunately, I could follow him and was able to take some photos of him. Here is some info about the nocturnal bird:

The Sulawesi Scops Owl (Otus manadensis) is a small owl species found only in Sulawesi and nearby islands in Indonesia — making it endemic to the region. Here’s a detailed overview:
1. Taxonomy & Classification
Scientific name: Otus manadensis
Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Genus: Otus — a group of small to medium-sized owls known as scops owls.
First described in 1872 by A. B. Meyer.
2. Physical Description
Size: Around 15–17 cm in length — about the size of a sparrowhawk, but fluffier.
Plumage: Brown, rufous, or grey morphs — this variation helps them blend with tree bark.
Streaked and mottled patterns for camouflage.
Ears: Possesses small “ear tufts” (actually feather tufts, not ears).
Eyes: Large and yellow to orange, well-adapted for nocturnal vision.
3. Distribution & Habitat
Range: Only found in Sulawesi, plus nearby islands like Lembeh, Togian, and Sangihe.
Habitat: Lowland and montane forests up to around 1,800 meters above sea level.
Often near villages, plantations, and forest edges.
Behavior: Often perches quietly in dense foliage during the day, making it hard to spot.
4. Behavior & Diet
Nocturnal — active at night, resting during the day.
Diet: Insects (moths, beetles, crickets), small lizards, and sometimes small birds.
Hunting style: Hunts from a perch, swooping down to snatch prey with talons.
5. Vocalization
Famous for its distinct “poo-poo-poo” or “whit-whit” calls, repeated at regular intervals.
Calls are often the easiest way to detect them during night birding.
Males and females call to defend territories and attract mates.
6. Breeding
Breeding season likely linked to the dry season.
Nests in tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or natural hollows.
Clutch size is usually 2–3 eggs.
Both parents may take part in feeding chicks.
7. Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Least Concern — relatively widespread across Sulawesi.
Main threats: habitat loss due to logging, agriculture, and land conversion.
Adaptable to secondary growth and even semi-urban habitats, which helps its survival.
8. Birding Notes
Birders often find it by listening for its repetitive nighttime calls. A flashlight will reveal its bright reflective eyes.

If you are interested in taking a bird photo tour in Subdistrict Sonder of Minahasa and other sites in North Sulawesi, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Bird Photography Guide in Manado city
• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Mount Malawi and Sonder's Farm Forest
• Birdwatching in Sonder of Minahasa Highland

Guided Birding Walk and Sightseeing Tour in Manado City of North Sulawesi

Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It has got suburban areas that are still interesting for visitors who want to enjoy birdwatching. Tropical birds that could be watched during the walking tour include: Sooty-headed Bulbul, Glossy Swiftlet, White-nest Swiftlet, Sahul Sunbird, Crimson Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pale Blue Monarch, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Pale Blue Monarch, Barred Rail, Sulawesi Crow and etc. 

Sooty-headed Bulbul

In addition to birds, we could also butterflies, dragonflies and beetles in the farmland areas outside of Manado city. Some of them include: Celebes-banded Swallowtail (Papilio gigon), The Clipper (Parthenos sylvia), Blanchard's Wood Nymph (Ideopsis vitrea), Common Birwing (Troides helena), Brown Pansy (Junonia hedonia), Pale Blue Tit (Hypolycaena sipylus), Manado Yellow Tiger (Parantica menadensis) and etc.

Dragonflies usually sit on the tip of grass blades or leaves of creeping plants that grow near water. Some that can be seen during the tour are Manado Grasshawk (Neurothemis manadensis), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum serapia), 

Butterflywatching in the Suburb of Manado city

Manado city is the destination for tourists who want to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming in Bunaken islands and Lembeh Straight. 

Most of scuba divers cannot fly back to their countries immediately after taking the dive tour. They usually need to stay for 1 day in a hotel in Manado city. This guided birding walk that is added with city tour allows them spend time doing activities that are more interesting than just spending all day in the room of a hotel.

Extended Tour

This birdwatching tour in the suburb of Manado city can be extended to 1 more week to explore birding sites in Minahasa highland and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. 

If you are interested in taking this birdwatching tour in Manado or even throughout North Sulawesi Province, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland
• Sonder Bird
• Tangkoko Birding
• Tangkoko Bird List
• Tour Around the Farmland of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in North Sulawesi

Scaly-breasted Munia in North Sulawesi : The Charming Little Finch of the Grasslands

The Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), also known as the Spotted Munia or Nutmeg Mannikin, is a small, social bird found across tropical Asia. It has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including the Pacific islands, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Beloved for its gentle nature and striking plumage, this munia thrives in open habitats and is often seen in small flocks.

Scaly-breasted Munia

Physical Characteristics

The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small bird, about 11–12 cm in length. Its most distinctive feature is the scale-like pattern on its breast and belly, formed by dark-edged white feathers, giving the bird its name. The rest of the plumage is typically brown with a slightly reddish tinge on the head and back. Both males and females look similar, making sexing by appearance difficult.

Juvenile munias lack the scaly breast and are mostly dull brown with paler underparts.

Scaly-breasted Munia in Tomohon town

Habitat and Distribution

This species is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and southern China. It prefers grasslands, open woodlands, rice fields, and even urban gardens. Thanks to its adaptability, the Scaly-breasted Munia has become a successful colonizer of new areas where it has been introduced.

Behavior and Diet

Scaly-breasted Munias are gregarious, often seen in flocks feeding on seeds and grains. Their diet mainly consists of grass seeds, millets, and occasionally small insects. In agricultural areas, they are considered as pests due to their fondness for rice and other cereal crops.

They forage both on the ground and on grass stalks, often hanging upside-down to reach seeds. Their chirping and twittering are soft but constant when in flocks.

Breeding and Nesting

The breeding season varies depending on the region but often coincides with the monsoon or rainy season. Scaly-breasted Munias build a globular nest using grasses and other fine plant material, usually placed in bushes, trees, or even in man-made structures.

They lay 4 to 6 white eggs, and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties. The young fledge in about 3 weeks, but families often stay together for some time afterward.

Conservation Status

The Scaly-breasted Munia is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It has a wide range, a stable population, and is abundant in many parts of its distribution. However, localized threats include habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.

Cultural and Ecological Importance

In many parts of Asia, the Scaly-breasted Munia is a popular aviary bird due to its calm demeanor and attractive appearance. Ecologically, it plays a role in controlling grass seed populations and serves as prey for birds of prey and small mammals.

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching tour in Minahasa Peninsula of North Sulawesi Province in Indonesia, and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com. 

Also read:

• Sonder Tours
• Sonder Bird
• Minahasa Highland Tour
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa Highland