TheEurasian scops owl (Otus scops), also known as theEuropean scops owl, common scops owl or justscops owl, is a small owl in thetypical owl familyStrigidae. Its breeding range extends from southern Europe eastwards to southern Siberia and the western Himalayas. It is migratory, wintering in Africa south of the Sahara, although it is resident year-round in parts ofMediterranean Europe.
The Eurasian scops owl wasformally described by Swedish naturalistCarl Linnaeus in 1758 in thetenth edition of hisSystema Naturae. Linnaeus cited the 1599 description by the Italian naturalistUlisse Aldrovandi, placed it with all the other owls in thegenusStrix and coined thebinomial nameStrix scops.[4][5] The Eurasian scops owl is now placed in the genusOtus that was introduced in 1769 by Welsh naturalistThomas Pennant.[6][7] The genus name is derived from theLatinotus meaning "eared owl". The specific epithetscops is from theAncient Greek wordskōps for a little eared owl.[8] The term is believed to be ofPre-Greek origin;folk etymology links it to σκώπτω (skṓptō, "to mock") or σκέπτομαι (sképtomai, "to examine").[9]
The Eurasian scops owl is 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) in length with a wingspan of 47–54 cm (19–21 in). This is somewhat smaller than thelittle owl (Athene noctua). It perches upright and shows small ear-tufts. The plumage is predominantly grey-brown in colour, with a paler face, underparts and shoulder line. This species has a strong direct flight on long narrow wings, reflecting its migratory habits.[10]
The call is a deep whistle given by both sexes. It is similar to the call ofmidwife toads in the genusAlytes.[10]
This bird breeds in southern Europe eastwards into western and central Asia. It ismigratory, wintering in southernmost Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. It was spotted inNewtown area nearKolkata for a brief period during October 2021. It was the first sighting in easternIndia.[11] 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.
Eurasian scops owls breed in open woodland, parks and gardens. The nest is usually a hole in a tree or in a wall, but can sometimes be an old nest of another species such as a crow. The clutch is usually 4 or 5 eggs. These are white and measure 31 mm × 27 mm (1.2 in × 1.1 in) and weigh around 13 g (0.46 oz). The eggs are incubated only by the female. They hatch after 24-25 days. The young are cared for and fed by both parents. They fledge when aged 21–29 days and become independent of their parents at 30–40 days of age.[12]
^abGill, Frank; Donsker, David;Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2022)."Owls".IOC World Bird List Version 12.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved2 March 2022.
^Jobling, James A. (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 286,351.ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
^Beekes, Robert S. P. (2010)Etymological Dictionary of Greek (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 10)[1], with the assistance of Lucien van Beek, Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 1365
^abSvensson, Lars; Mullarney, Killian; Zetterström, Dan (2009).Collins Bird Guide (2nd ed.). London: HarperCollins. p. 232.ISBN978-0-00-726814-6.
Cramp, Stanley, ed. (1985). "Otus scops Scops Owl".Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. IV: Terns to Woodpeckers. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 454–465.ISBN978-0-19-857507-8.
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