The Serendib Scops Owl was first heard in the 1990s and only formally described in 2004, making it one of the most recently discovered birds in Asia. It roosts low in dense, tangled undergrowth and is almost impossible to find without a naturalist who knows its territories. Ask us in advance if this owl is a target for your visit.
Species guide
Serendib Scops Owl
Otus thilohoffmanni
Status
Endemic
Habitat
Dense lowland rainforest understorey
When to look
Dusk and night · with a guide
Field notes
Photography note
Photos on this page are placeholders and will be replaced with the lodge’s own photography. Ask our naturalists about ethical photography of this species.
Keep exploring
More from the species guide
Endemic
Glaucidium castanotum
A small owl that hunts by day as well as by night, often found close to the lodge.
Forest edge and tall trees
Specialty
Batrachostomus moniliger
Perfectly camouflaged pairs roost by day in the undergrowth; guides know where to look.
Dense, shaded thickets
Resident
Bubo nipalensis
A huge forest owl, linked in Sri Lankan folklore to the eerie call of the “devil bird”.
Mature forest
Endemic
Urocissa ornata
The emblem of Sinharaja: noisy family groups that often travel with mixed flocks.
Rainforest canopy and edges