[order] STRIGIFORMES | [family] Strigidae | [latin] Otus scops | [authority] Linnaeus, 1758 | [UK] Scops-Owl | [FR] Petit duc d’Europe | [DE] Zwergohreule | [ES] Autillo Comun | [NL] Gestreepte Dwergooruil
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
Members of the genus Otus are the Scops and Screech owls. They are relatively small owls, with short, rounded wings. Most have erectile ear-tufts. Otus is a worldwide genus, containing some 45 species.
Physical charateristics
Small, slim owl with ear-tufts that is more often heard than seen, as it is strictly nocturnal. Occurs in grey-brown and rufous-brown morphs, latter less friquent. Facial disc grey, darker grey-brown around eyes, with thin whitish eyebrows. Crown, small ear-tufts and upperparts brown-grey to rufous-brown with blackish-brown streaks, bars and vermiculations, nape with pale spots, mantle sides more rofous, line of black tipped white or pale buff spots along scapulars. Outer primaries broadly barred buff-white, tail more narrowly barred. Streaks widest on flanks. Iris yellow, bill blue-black, legs noticeably thin, feathered buff-white, feet grey.
Listen to the sound of Scops-Owl
[audio:https://planetofbirds.com/MASTER/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/sounds/Scops-Owl.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 47 | cm | wingspan max.: | 54 | cm |
| size min.: | 19 | cm | size max.: | 21 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 24 | days | incubation max.: | 25 | days |
| fledging min.: | 21 | days | fledging max.: | 25 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 4 | ||
| eggs max.: | 6 |
Range
Eurasia : West, Central
Habitat
Breeds in rather open and semi-open broadleaved woodland, including parks, orchards and plantations, also cultivation with groves, and large gardens, riverine forest, roadside trees, and trees in quiet squares in small towns.
In general, requires good cover of trees, with suitable sites for roosting and nesting, and adjacent open ground with plenty of large insect prey. Avoids closed forest and extensive open areas. Breeds from sea-level to 2000 m.
In general, requires good cover of trees, with suitable sites for roosting and nesting, and adjacent open ground with plenty of large insect prey. Avoids closed forest and extensive open areas. Breeds from sea-level to 2000 m.
Reproduction
Breeds March-August in South Europe, May-June in North Africa. Monogamous, occasionally polygynous, solitary.
Nest is built in tree cavity, hole in building or wall, or occasionally old nest of other species, especially magpie. 3-4 eggs are laid, incubation 24-25 days. Chicks are with white to pale grey down. Female performs almost all brooding.
Nest is built in tree cavity, hole in building or wall, or occasionally old nest of other species, especially magpie. 3-4 eggs are laid, incubation 24-25 days. Chicks are with white to pale grey down. Female performs almost all brooding.
Feeding habits
Mostly insects and other invertebrates, also some small birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
Hunts from perch, flying down to grab prey with feet, or may initially land along-side, also hunts on foot, seizing small prey with bill. Moths caught in feet after fast aerial pursuit.
Small insects swallowed whole, larger ones, and vertebrates, pulled apart. Birds plucked.
Nocturnal, occasionally diurnal.
Hunts from perch, flying down to grab prey with feet, or may initially land along-side, also hunts on foot, seizing small prey with bill. Moths caught in feet after fast aerial pursuit.
Small insects swallowed whole, larger ones, and vertebrates, pulled apart. Birds plucked.
Nocturnal, occasionally diurnal.
Video Scops-Owl
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8b9tABfdbE
copyright: youtube
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Otus scops is a widespread breeder across much of southern and eastern Europe,
which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population
is large (>210,000 pairs), but underwent a moderate decline between 1970-1990. The
species was stable or increased in some countries during 1990-2000, but it declined in
many others. Although trends were not available for the key populations in Russia
and Spain, the species’s population has clearly not yet recovered to the level that
preceded its decline. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Depleted.
Otus scops is a widespread breeder across much of southern and eastern Europe,
which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population
is large (>210,000 pairs), but underwent a moderate decline between 1970-1990. The
species was stable or increased in some countries during 1990-2000, but it declined in
many others. Although trends were not available for the key populations in Russia
and Spain, the species’s population has clearly not yet recovered to the level that
preceded its decline. Consequently, it is provisionally evaluated as Depleted.
Migration
Northern populations migratory, southern ones partially so or resident. Of 6 west Palearctic races, only one (cyprius, endemic to Cyprus) wholly resident. 2 others are partial migrants. O. s. mallorcae of Iberia present there all year in south, though winter numbers considerably reduced; emigrants presumably cross to Africa. Aegean and Near Eastern race cycladum largely migratory (some winter in southern Greece), but winter range of emigrants unknown. Remaining 3 races are long-distance migrants, most of which reach Afrotropical region in winter. Migrates on broad front, birds regularly overflying Sahara and (especially in autumn) apparently Mediterranean also, in unbroken flight.
Distribution map
Literature
Title Distribution, density, diet and productivity of the Scops Owl Otus scops in the Italian Alps
Author(s): LUIGI MARCHESI & FABRIZIO SERGIO
Abstract: The Scops Owl Otus scops is probably the least kno..[more]..
Source: Ibis 147 (1), 176-187