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;[[:Category:Otus|Otus]] scops | ;[[:Category:Otus|Otus]] scops | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
[[Image:41077skovik3.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|anzek|anzek}}<br />Bijela, [[Montenegro]]]] | [[Image:41077skovik3.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|anzek|anzek}}<br />Bijela, [[Montenegro]]]] | ||
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Southern [[Europe]], parts of North [[Africa]], [[Asia Minor]] east to Central [[Asia]]. Many populations migratory, moving to [[Africa]] south of Sahara in winter. | Southern [[Europe]], parts of North [[Africa]], [[Asia Minor]] east to Central [[Asia]]. Many populations migratory, moving to [[Africa]] south of Sahara in winter. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Originally formed [[Dictionary_P-S#S|superspecies]] with [[Oriental Scops Owl]] and [[African Scops Owl]] but is vocally and genetically distinct. | + | Originally formed [[Dictionary_P-S#S|superspecies]] with [[Oriental Scops Owl]] and [[African Scops Owl]] but is vocally and genetically distinct. [[Cyprus Scops Owl]] was recently split from Eurasian Scops Owl. |
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Five subspecies are recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | |
*''O. s. scops'': | *''O. s. scops'': | ||
:*[[France]] and [[Mediterranean]] islands to Volga River, northern [[Greece]] and Transcaucasia | :*[[France]] and [[Mediterranean]] islands to Volga River, northern [[Greece]] and Transcaucasia | ||
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*''O. s. cycladum'': | *''O. s. cycladum'': | ||
:*Southern [[Greece]] and [[Crete]], south [[Asia Minor]], [[Israel]], southern [[Turkey]] and [[Jordan]] | :*Southern [[Greece]] and [[Crete]], south [[Asia Minor]], [[Israel]], southern [[Turkey]] and [[Jordan]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*''O. s. turanicus'': | *''O. s. turanicus'': | ||
:*[[Iraq]] through [[Iran]] and southern Transcaspia to north-western [[Pakistan]] | :*[[Iraq]] through [[Iran]] and southern Transcaspia to north-western [[Pakistan]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug21}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker16V6.3}} |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Otus_Scops}} | {{GSearch|Otus_Scops}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Otus]][[Category:Bird Songs]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Otus]][[Category:Bird Songs]] | ||
Revision as of 18:33, 22 January 2022
Alternative names: Commmon Scops-Owl; European Scops-Owl
- Otus scops
Identification
16–20 cm (6¼-7¾ in)
Small, eared owl with yellow eyes.
Plumage is a grey-buff intricately marked with black, which provides excellent camouflage against tree bark when roosting.
Young birds are more strongly vermiculated than adults.
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 Oriental Scops Owl and African Scops Owl but is vocally and genetically distinct. Cyprus Scops Owl was recently split from Eurasian Scops Owl.
Subspecies
Five subspecies are recognized[1]:
- O. s. scops:
- France and Mediterranean islands to Volga River, northern Greece and Transcaucasia
- O. s. pulchellus:
- Volga River to Lake Baikal and south to Altai and Tien Shan Mountains
- O. s. mallorcae:
- Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands, northern Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
- O. s. cycladum:
- O. s. turanicus:
Subspecies 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
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2016. IOC World Bird Names (version 6.3). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Eurasian Scops Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Scops_Owl
