description Rajah Scops-Owl Overview
The Rajah scops-owl (Otus brookii) is a small owl found on the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The named form includes the Bornean subspecies O. b. brookii and the Sumatran subspecies O.
b. solokensis, both associated with mountainous forest environments. The species is notable for its secretive behavior and for ongoing taxonomic discussion about whether the two island populations represent separate species.
help Rajah Scops-Owl FAQ
Which islands are home to the Rajah scops-owl?
The Rajah scops-owl, Otus brookii, is associated with Borneo and Sumatra. The named forms are O. b. brookii on Borneo and O. b. solokensis on Sumatra.
Why is it called the Rajah scops-owl?
The name refers to James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak. It is not a reference to a separate owl genus or a royal behavior trait.
Why was the Bornean Rajah scops-owl described as rediscovered?
The Bornean form had not been documented in the wild since its description in 1892. A bird was photographed on Mount Kinabalu in 2016, and the rediscovery was reported by the Smithsonian in 2021. [Smithsonian National Zoo](https://www.nationalzoo.si.edu/news/bornean-rajah-scops-owl-rediscovered-after-125-years)
Is Otus brookii one species or two?
Current references generally treat the Bornean and Sumatran birds as two subspecies of Otus brookii. Their plumage, distribution, and evolutionary history suggest they may eventually be split, but that taxonomic question remains unsettled.
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