Collared scops owl spotted in urban Xiamen, highlighting city's biodiversity gains

A collared scops owl flies over Dongshan Reservoir in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Li Zhenlong)

A collared scops owl, a second-class state protected bird species, was recently spotted at Dongshan Reservoir in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, perching on a bald cypress branch along a lakeside trail and drawing crowds of curious onlookers.

Known among birdwatchers for its cat-like facial disc and large round eyes, the collared scops owl is a small but agile nocturnal raptor that preys on birds, rodents, lizards and insects. Though a year-round resident of Xiamen, the species typically inhabits mountain forests and rarely ventures into urban areas, according to the Xiamen Birdwatching Society.

The owl's appearance reflects the tangible results of Xiamen's biodiversity conservation efforts in recent years, according to an official from the city's ecology and environment bureau.

A collared scops owl perches on a bald cypress branch in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A collared scops owl perches on a bald cypress branch in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Chen Jingyi)

A collared scops owl perches on a bald cypress branch in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A collared scops owl perches on a branch in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A collared scops owl perches on a branch in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)

A collared scops owl perches on a bald cypress branch in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo)