The small owl found in India is likely the Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena). The Indian Scops Owl is a small owl, with adults reaching lengths of 19-21 cm and weighing 58-106 grams. It is found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.
Some quick facts about the Indian Scops Owl:
– It is a small owl, about the size of a pigeon.
– It has ear tufts, yellow eyes, and reddish-brown plumage with dark streaks.
– It hunts insects, small mammals, and reptiles at night.
– It nests in tree cavities and lays 3-5 eggs.
– Its population is decreasing but it remains fairly widespread.
Description and Identification
The Indian Scops Owl is a small owl with a round head and no ear tufts. Adults range from 19-21 cm in length and weigh between 58-106 grams.
The plumage is reddish-brown above with dark shaft streaks. The underparts are pale with dark streaks. The facial disk is reddish-brown and the eyes are yellow.
Distinctive identification features include:
– Small size, pigeon-sized
– Ear tufts are present but not prominent
– Yellow eyes
– Reddish-brown plumage with streaks
The species can be confused with other scops owls in its range or the Collared Scops Owl, which is slightly larger with ear tufts. The screeching call is the best way to identify the Indian Scops Owl.
Plumage
As mentioned above, the Indian Scops Owl has reddish-brown plumage on the upperparts with black/dark brown streaking. The streaks are shaft streaks, meaning they run down the shaft of each feather.
The underparts are paler with similar dark streaking. The facial disk is also reddish-brown.
The ear tufts are present but not very prominent. The eyes are yellow. The feet and legs are feathered.
Males and females have identical plumage. Juveniles are slightly duller but otherwise similar to the adults.
Voice
The call of the Indian Scops Owl is a loud, melodious screech described as “prruu-prruu-prruu”. It is mostly heard at dawn and dusk when the owl is most active.
The call is very distinctive and is often the best way to identify this species in the field, since its small size makes it hard to spot. It is one of the most commonly heard night birds across India.
Distribution and Habitat
The Indian Scops Owl is found widely across the Indian subcontinent including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and western Myanmar. Its range extends into Southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and southern China.
This owl occupies a variety of wooded habitats including:
– Open deciduous forests
– Dense scrublands
– Agricultural areas with scattered trees
– Parks and gardens
– Mangrove forests
It ranges from sea level up to 2500 meters in elevation. It is mostly resident across its range but may make seasonal movements tracking prey abundance.
Range Map
Image source: IUCN Red List
Behavior and Ecology
The Indian Scops Owl is nocturnal, resting in cavities during the day and emerging at dusk to hunt. It typically hunts from an open perch, swooping down on prey. It eats insects, small mammals like mice and bats, lizards, frogs, and more.
Diet
– Insects – especially moths, beetles, crickets
– Small mammals – rats, mice, shrews, bats
– Reptiles – lizards, frogs
– Small birds
It hunts mainly by patiently waiting on a perch and swooping down on prey. It also gleans prey from foliage and the ground.
Breeding
The breeding season of Indian Scops Owls is November to April in South Asia. They are cavity nesters, nesting in natural tree hollows or old woodpecker holes.
The clutch size is usually 3-5 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for about 26 days while the male brings her food. The chicks hatch and fledge in about 5 weeks.
Threats and Conservation
The Indian Scops Owl has a very large range and is fairly common, although its population is decreasing. Habitat loss is the major threat, as well as pesticide use reducing insect prey.
It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. More research is needed on population trends across its range. Protecting forests and reducing pesticide use will benefit the species.
Interesting Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the Indian Scops Owl:
– It got its scientific name bakkamoena from the Tamil name for the species.
– Its ears are offset, with one higher than the other. This helps it locate prey more precisely.
– The ear tufts may help camouflage the owl by breaking up its outline.
– It was once considered the same species as the Eurasian Scops Owl until they were split in 2005.
– Its feathers have specialized fringes that allow silent flight for hunting.
Comparison to Collared Scops Owl
The Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia) overlaps in range with the Indian Scops Owl in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Here is a comparison:
| Trait | Indian Scops Owl | Collared Scops Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 19-21 cm long | 21-23 cm long |
| Ear Tufts | Small | Long and prominent |
| Plumage | Reddish-brown with streaks | More rufous/orange with spots |
| Voice | Prruu-prruu-prruu | Kwok kwok kwok |
| Range | India, Southeast Asia | Southern India, Sri Lanka |
As you can see, the Collared Scops is slightly bigger with very noticeable ear tufts compared to the Indian Scops Owl. The Collared also has a different call and more restricted range.
Where to see the Indian Scops Owl
Here are some good places to spot the Indian Scops Owl in the wild:
Keoladeo National Park, India
This famous wetland and bird sanctuary has high densities of scops owls. The best time is October to March. Go on an owl-spotting night safari.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, India
Located in Kerala, this sanctuary has tropical forests where scops owls nest. Take a guided night walk to find roosting owls.
Singalila National Park, India
At higher elevations here, listen for scops owl calls at night near oak and rhododendron forests.
Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
Scops owls can be spotted at night along the trails through seasonal evergreen forest.
Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
The tiny Florida subspecies of Indian Scops Owl can be found in this preserve near the Everglades.
Conclusion
In summary, the Indian Scops Owl is a small reddish-brown owl found widely across South and Southeast Asia. It has a very distinctive screeching call, with ear tufts and yellow eyes. It inhabits a variety of wooded habitats and hunts small prey at night. The species is currently decreasing but remains common in parts of its range. Some excellent places to spot this owl are national parks and reserves across India and Thailand. With its cryptic plumage and nocturnal habits, seeing the Indian Scops Owl in the wild is a special treat for any birder.
