Bird Guide

African Scops Owl vs Indian Scops Owl

African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)

African Scops Owl

Otus senegalensis

Medium67 gWoodland

The African scops owl is a small owl, measuring 17 cm (6.7 in) in length. It is typically greyish-brown, though sometimes pale rufous or warmer brown, and is cryptically marked with streaks and mottling. Its grey facial disk has a narrow black edge, and its eyes are yellow. It has ear tufts, which are generally kept lowered unless the bird is disturbed. The African scops owl is around 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) in length with a wingspan of 45 cm (18 in). Voice: The African scops owl gives a monotonous quivering distinctive "prrrp" at five second intervals.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Vernon Swanepoel · CC BY 2.0
Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena)

Indian Scops Owl

Otus bakkamoena

Medium146 gForest

The Indian scops owl is a small 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) owl, although it is one of the largest of the scops owls. Like other scops owls, it has small head tufts, or ears. The upperparts are grey or brown, depending on the morph, with faint buff spotting. The underparts are buff with fine darker streaking. The facial disc is whitish or buff, and the eyes are orange or brown. There is a buff neckband. Sexes are similar. The flight is deeply undulating. This species is very similar to the slightly larger partially migratory collared scops owl (Otus lettia) and the oriental scops owl (Otus sunia).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Indian Scops Owl
Recorded by Vihansith Kulatunga · Call · Watapuluwa, Kandy, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: unknown · CC BY 2.5

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: African Scops Owl and Indian Scops Owl.