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13

Pallid Scops Owl (Otus brucei) Alternate name(s): "Striated Scops Owl", "Bruce's Scops Owl" Size: 20-22 cm

Oman: Family Group 13 Family Group 13 Table Asian Koel Pallid Scops Owl Little Owl European Nightjar Thumbnails page Classification table Index of bird names Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Pallid Scops Owls are small owls. They have the typical mid-grey, slightly reflective and highly cryptic plumage of many owls, with dark-grey streaks and light silvery-grey patches. The facial mask is grey, the edge of the mask is mottled brownish-grey and dark-grey. Also parts of the back have a brownish tinge. The very large eyes have yellow irises. The short, hooked bill is dark-grey. The feet and legs are covered with brownish-grey feathers. Juveniles have no facial mask yet, no tail and a barred or scalloped general appearance, rather than striated.

Taxonomy, classification See Pallid Scops Owl at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Pallid Scops Owl is available HERE . Pallid Scops Owls are mostly found in temperate climate zones, from parts of Asia Minor and the Middle East into western and central Asia. Some individuals spend the northern winters farther South, in parts of Egypt, the Arabian peninsula, Pakistan or India. They are reliably found on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz. In Arabia Pallid Scops Owls are mostly winter visitors. They are found mainly along the North coast of Oman and the UAE. They are usually found in semi-open landscapes with suitable vegetation (trees, shrubs for perches/roosts) and interspersed open areas in which they prefer to hunt. We have seen them in a built-up area with little or no night life, i.e. the Campus of Sultan Qaboos University.

Sightings Click here for sighting information The owls shown below were seen by us on the Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in the timeframe February-April 2010. Based on the photos below, the birds' estimated sizes and various calls, an expert identified them as Pallid Scops Owls. The fact that the pair observed by us had fledgling chicks when first seen indicates that some individuals stay in Oman all year round, rather than just as winter visitors. Although none of the photos show this, we have seen birds with their ear tufts erected.

Photos

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ADULT

Sex unknown

Close-up lateral view of a Pallid Scops Owl looking towards the camera
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Close-up lateral view of a Pallid Scops Owl
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Close-up lateral view of a Pallid Scops Owl looking backwards
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Close-up lateral view of a Pallid Scops Owl
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Pallid Scops Owl waiting to be fed
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Near-lateral view of a curious Pallid Scops Owl chick that came to check out the source of light illuminating it
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Food, Diet

Like other members of the owl family, Pallid Scops Owls are carnivores. They prey on large insects and other small animals.

Pallid Scops Owl that has caught a juicy locust
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

Pallid Scops Owl with its prey looking towards an area from which a rasping sound could be heard
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

The source of the rasping sound was this young Pallid Scops Owl calling to be fed
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, February 2010]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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