TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A rare mountain scops owl perched atop the crown of a Mazu statue at a temple in Miaoli County for two nights and three days before disappearing, per CNA.
The bird was spotted around 2 p.m. Saturday by a custodian at Quan Hua Temple on Lion's Head Mountain in Nanzhuang Township. Temple staff decided not to disturb the owl, a protected species in Taiwan.
Concerns later arose about the owl’s condition after it appeared to go without food or water, prompting temple Chair Huang Chin-yuan (黃錦源) to consult Miaoli agriculture officials.
“Although the bird was not trapped in the temple we started to worry about its health, given how long it had gone without food," Huang said, per UDN.
Experts advised dimming lights and avoiding the shrine area, noting that owls can survive several days without sustenance. The temple later posted on social media after the bird flew away, expressing hope it was safe.
Huang described the incident as spiritually significant in Buddhist and folk beliefs, adding he had prayed to Mazu for the owl's protection.
The mountain scops owl — Taiwan’s endemic subspecies hambroecki — is a small brown mottled bird about 18–20 cm long with yellow eyes. It mainly eats insects and has a two-note “shuuu shuuu” call.
Taiwan Panorama reported that among the Indigenous Bunun, owls are viewed as guardian spirits and are called “baby protectors.”
