- Eurasian Scops Owl
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European Scops Owl 
Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Genus: Otus Species: O. scops Binomial name Otus scops
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Summer Resident WinterThe European Scops Owl (Otus scops), also known as the Eurasian Scops Owl or just Scops Owl, is a small owl. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae. This bird breeds in southern Europe eastwards into western and central Asia. It is migratory, wintering in southernmost Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. It is rare any distance north of its breeding range, usually occurring as a spring overshoot. It is unlikely that this nocturnal owl would be found outside the breeding season when it is not calling.
Grey morph
It breeds in open woodland, parks and gardens. It lays 3-6 eggs in a tree hole. This is a small owl, and at 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) in length and a 47–54 cm (19–21 in) wingspan is not as large as the Little Owl. Body mass ranges from 64 to 135 g (2.3 to 4.8 oz).[1] It takes small prey such as insects and other invertebrates. It is largely nocturnal.
The Scops Owl perches upright and shows small ear tufts. It is predominantly grey-brown in colour, with paler face, underparts and shoulder line. This species has a strong direct flight on long narrow wings, reflecting its migratory habits. The call is a deep whistle given by both sexes. It is similar to the call of the Midwife Toad.
References
- ^ CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (1992), ISBN 978-0849342585.
- BirdLife International (2004). Otus scops. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
- BSC-EOC.org, Avibase, includes link to Flickr Hand Guide images.
- Owlpages.com
- Ibercajalav.net, Ageing and sexing by Javier Blasco-Zumeta (PDF)
Media related to Otus scops at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Otus scops at Wikispecies- Otus scops in the Flickr: Field Guide Birds of the World
- Otus scops on Avibase
Categories:- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Otus
- Birds of Europe
- Animals described in 1758
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