Bay Owl
Encyclopedia
The bay owls are barn owl
s of the genus
Phodilus, subfamily Phodilinae. Most classification schemes recognize two species in this genus: the Oriental Bay Owl
(Phodilus badius) and the Congo Bay Owl
(Phodilus prigoginei).
The latter is not well known and was initially considered a subspecies of P. badius; today, however, it is not clear whether the African species would not be better placed in Tyto or a monotypic
genus. Both species are nocturnal, and appear similar to other barn owls; they are generally smaller, have ear-like feather tufts (hardly visible in the African species), and a more U-shaped facial disk.
An apparently extinct population from Samar Island
might constitute a third species, but the only known specimen has been lost.
Tytonidae
Barn-owls are one of the two families of owls, the other being the true owls, Strigidae. They are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons...
s of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Phodilus, subfamily Phodilinae. Most classification schemes recognize two species in this genus: the Oriental Bay Owl
Oriental Bay Owl
The Oriental Bay Owl is a type of owl, usually classified with barn owls. It is completely nocturnal, and can be found throughout Southeast Asia. It has several subspecies. It has a heart-shaped face with earlike extensions...
(Phodilus badius) and the Congo Bay Owl
Congo Bay Owl
The Congo Bay-owl is a species of owl in the Tytonidae family. It is restricted to a small area in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with possible records from Burundi and Rwanda....
(Phodilus prigoginei).
The latter is not well known and was initially considered a subspecies of P. badius; today, however, it is not clear whether the African species would not be better placed in Tyto or a monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
genus. Both species are nocturnal, and appear similar to other barn owls; they are generally smaller, have ear-like feather tufts (hardly visible in the African species), and a more U-shaped facial disk.
An apparently extinct population from Samar Island
Samar Island
Samar is an island in the Visayas, within the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar province, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran are part of the Eastern Visayas region...
might constitute a third species, but the only known specimen has been lost.