About Otus scops (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Eurasian scops owl, Otus scops (Linnaeus, 1758), measures 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) in length, with a wingspan of 47–54 cm (19–21 in). It is somewhat smaller than the little owl Athene noctua. It perches upright and has small ear-tufts. Its plumage is predominantly grey-brown, with a paler face, paler underparts, and a paler shoulder line. This species has strong direct flight on long narrow wings, a trait that reflects its migratory habits. Both sexes produce a deep whistle call, which is similar to the call of midwife toads in the genus Alytes. This owl breeds in southern Europe, extending eastward into western and central Asia. It is migratory, and winters in the southernmost part of Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. A brief sighting of this species occurred in the Newtown area near Kolkata in October 2021; this was the first recorded sighting of the Eurasian scops owl in eastern India. The species is rare at any significant distance north of its breeding range, where it usually occurs as a spring overshoot. Because it is a nocturnal species that does not call outside the breeding season, it is unlikely to be detected during this non-breeding period.
