Bird Guide

Indian Scops Owl

Otus bakkamoena

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestCavity nestMedium · 146 g

About the Indian Scops Owl

The Indian scops owl is a species of owl native to South Asia.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

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).

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Indian Scops Owl sounds like

Recording: Vihansith Kulatunga · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Jairam Vijayan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Indian Scops Owl lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Russia.

When to see the Indian Scops Owl

Peak activity in February · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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