Indian scops-owl

Otus bakkamoena

Photo by Samiul Mohsanin (Flickriver)

Common name:

Indian scops-owl (en); mocho-de-orelhas-da-Índia (pt); petit-duc indien (fr); autillo indio (es); Indien-zwergohreule (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This Asian species is a resident breeder found from eastern Saudi Arabia, through Iran, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, and into Indonesia.

Size:

The Indian scops-owl is 23-25 cm long and weighs 120-150 g.

Habitat:

This species is found in forested habitats, mostly lowland secondary forests, but also in fields with scrub cover.

Diet:

They mostly eat insects, such as moths, beetles and grasshoppers. They also take small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Breeding:

The Indian scops-owl breeds in April-July. They nest in a hole in a tree, or in a rock cavity, where the female lays 3-5 eggs. The eggs are incubated for 28-29 days and the chicks fledge 4-5 weeks after hatching. The chicks continue to receive food from their parents for another 3-4 weeks after fledging.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and locally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.