African Scops Owl
A species of Scops-owls Scientific name : Otus senegalensis Genus : Scops-owls
African Scops Owl, A species of Scops-owls
Botanical name: Otus senegalensis
Genus: Scops-owls
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Lip Kee , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The African scops owl is a small owl, measuring 17 cm (6.7 in) in length. It is typically greyish-brown, though sometimes pale rufous or warmer brown, and is cryptically marked with streaks and mottling. Its grey facial disk has a narrow black edge, and its eyes are yellow. It has ear tufts, which are generally kept lowered unless the bird is disturbed. The African scops owl is around 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) in length with a wingspan of 45 cm (18 in). 
Size
19 cm
Habitat
African Scops Owl is predominantly found in a variety of woodland habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. These habitats include wooded savannahs, open broadleaved woodlands, and forest edges. African Scops Owl also inhabits mopane and miombo woodlands, bushveld, Acacia scrub, parklands, and large gardens with mature trees. Occurring from sea level to elevations of 2000 meters, african Scops Owl is versatile, but avoids true deserts, sparse scrublands, and treeless grasslands. However, it can be found in desert regions following wooded watercourses. African Scops Owl demonstrates a preference for dense foliage during the day where it roosts, and is not typically seen in closed-canopy humid forests, open or drier forests.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Behavior
The African scops owl is strictly nocturnal. During the day, it perches close to the trunk of a tree. When roosting in daylight, this species closes its eyes and extends its ear tufts to give the impression of a tree branch, making it easily overlooked. Pairs sometimes roost together. The African scops owl is not as territorial as the Eurasian scops owl and will nest in loose aggregations, with the nest sites relatively close to each other. The male and female may duet, calling all night both before and after leaving the roost site. The African scops owl lays four to six eggs directly onto the floor of a tree hollow, with laying occurring throughout April and June. Incubation lasts about 27 days, during which the female incubates the eggs and is fed by the male. Once the eggs hatch the young are fed by the female from food brought by the male. The young fledge in 30 days. The prey of the African scops owl is mainly insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, moths etc. but also spiders, scorpions and small vertebrates. They normally hunt by scanning or listening from a perch and swooping down to capture prey on the ground, but will hawk for flying insects.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
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