For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Scops Owl

A very small owl with a body length of only 18-20cm.


It was sitting in a tree at one of the picnic sites Gaelyn and I visited and if it was not for the caretaker of the place pointing it out to us, we would have missed it completely.

 It is found in almost any woodland but mainly drier savanna and is absent from forests.


They eat insects and scorpions and seen in pairs or solitary. Roosts by day against a tree trunk and is well camouflaged amongst the foliage.

When threatened it will elongate its body and hunts by dropping down on prey from its perch.

They nest in hollows of trees and lay clutches on average of 3 eggs.
Info: Robert's Birds of Southern Africa

2 comments:

Iza said...

Beautiful owls! :)

Diane said...

We have a Little Owl around here and I see it fairly often except of course when ever I have the camera at hand. I do not remember seeing the Scops Owl when I was there but.....
Have a good week, Diane