From Opus

Alternative names: Commmon Scops-Owl; European Scops-Owl

Otus scops

Photo by JJM
Photographed in Lesvos

Identification

Small, eared owl with yellow eyes. Its plumage is a grey-buff (gray-buff), intricately marked with black provides excellent camouflage against tree bark when roosting.

Distribution

Southern Europe, parts of North Africa, Asia Minor east to Central Asia. Many populations migratory, moving to Africa south of Sahara in winter.

Taxonomy

Originally formed superspecies with O. sunia and O. senegalensis but is vocally and genetically distinct. Race cycladum may be included in nominate form.

Habitat

Open or semi-open woodland, parks, plantations etc. Winters on savannah. Usually not conifers except in parts of Russian range.

Behaviour

Breeding

Nests in tree-holes and in cavities in rocks and walls

Diet

Mainly insects and other invertebrates but also small lizards, frogs and small mammals.

Vocalisation

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