Indian scops owl

Overview

Wikipedia

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

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Distribution

Region

South Asia

Typical Environment

Found across much of the Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It occupies dry and moist deciduous forests, scrub, plantations, orchards, and urban parks. The species favors areas with mature trees that provide cavities for roosting and nesting. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes, provided suitable cover and prey are available.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size23–25 cm

Wing Span55–65 cm

Male Weight0.12 kg

Female Weight0.16 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Indian scops owl is a small ear-tufted owl native to the Indian subcontinent, where it often lives close to people in gardens and wooded parks. It is best told from similar scops owls by its single-note, mellow hoot and subtle plumage differences. By night it hunts moths and other insects, frequently around streetlights. Its excellent camouflage and daytime roosting in tree hollows make it hard to spot.

Gallery

Pair, male on right

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and crepuscular-nocturnal

Flight Pattern

silent, buoyant flight with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides

Social Behavior

Usually encountered singly or in pairs and forms monogamous breeding pairs. Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, occasionally using nest boxes. Defends a small territory around nest and roost sites.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

The typical call is a soft, single-note hoot—often rendered as a mellow 'whuk'—repeated at measured intervals. Calls carry well at night and are often the best way to detect the species. Agitated birds may give harsher barks or clucking notes.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Indian silverbill

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Indian skimmer

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Indian spot-billed duck

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Indian spotted creeper

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Indian spotted eagle

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Indian stone-curlew

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