Eurasian scops owl
| European scops owl | |
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O. scops
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| Otus scops |
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Summer Resident Winter |
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The Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops), also known as the European 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.
Distribution
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. It breeds in open woodland, parks and gardens. It lays 3-6 eggs in a tree hole.
Description
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).[2] 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.
Behavior
The call is a deep whistle given by both sexes. It is similar to the call of the Midwife Toad.
Diet
It takes small prey such as insects and other invertebrates. It is largely nocturnal.
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (1992), ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.
External links
- BSC-EOC.org, Avibase, includes link to Flickr Hand Guide images.
- Owlpages.com
- Ageing and sexing (PDF; 5.8 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze
- Recordings of vocalisation on Xeno-canto
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 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
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