Taxonomically, some groups consider it to be a distinct species (Otus sulensis), others a subspecies of the Sulawesi scops owl, and yet others a subspecies of the Moluccan scops owl.
Taxonomically, some groups categorize it as a separate species (Otus sulensis), while others classify it as a subspecies of the Sulawesi scops owl, and still others consider it a subspecies of the Moluccan scops owl.