Indian Scops Owl

The Indian scops owl, a small yet notably robust bird of the night, measures between 23 to 25 centimeters in length. It boasts a palette of grey or brown for its upperparts, which may vary with the morph, and is adorned with subtle buff spotting. The underparts present a buff hue, intricately laced with fine, darker streaks. A whitish or buff facial disc frames its orange or brown eyes, and a distinctive buff neckband can be observed. Both sexes share a similar appearance, and the bird's flight pattern is characterized by a deeply undulating motion.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by its small ear tufts, the Indian scops owl can be identified by its orange or brown eyes and the buff neckband that stands out against its grey or brown plumage. When attempting to differentiate it from its close relatives, such as the collared scops owl or the oriental scops owl, one must pay close attention to the nuances in their calls and the color of their eyes.

Habitat

The Indian scops owl is a denizen of the South Asian region, excluding the far northern areas.

Distribution

This species has made its home across a broad range, extending from eastern Arabia through the vast expanse of the Indian Subcontinent.

Behaviour

Embracing the cover of night, the Indian scops owl is a creature of nocturnal habits. Its natural camouflage renders it nearly invisible during the daylight hours, often betrayed only by the assembly of small birds that may gather to mob it as it rests in the seclusion of a tree.

Song & Calls

The Indian scops owl communicates with a soft, singular note that can be phonetically transcribed as "whuk?"

Breeding

The breeding habits of the Indian scops owl involve nesting within the hollows of trees. Here, it lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs.

Diet and Feeding

A diet primarily composed of insects sustains this elusive owl.

Conservation status

The Indian scops owl is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population within its natural habitat.