The Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) is a small, nocturnal bird of prey native to South Asia. Measuring 19–25 cm and weighing 125–150 g, it is known for its distinct small ear tufts, pale collar, and ability to blend perfectly into tree bark.
Key Fast Facts
Physical Traits: It has a mottled grey or sandy-brown plumage, a whitish facial disc, and orange to brown eyes.
Habitat: Found across India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They thrive in woodlands, mango orchards, and suburban gardens.
Diet: Strictly nocturnal hunters. They feed on beetles, grasshoppers, moth larvae, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards or mice.
Call: Known for a soft, frog-like, single-note "whuk?" or "wuatt?".
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Nesting: They do not build their own nests. Instead, females lay 3–5 white eggs in natural tree cavities or abandoned buildings, incubating them for about 25–28 days.
Behavioral Highlights
Camouflage: Thanks to their mottled, bark-like feathers, they are practically invisible during the day. They can sometimes be located when small birds "mob" them while roosting.
Lifespan: They live around 3–5 years in the wild, but can live up to 10–15 years in captivity.
Etymology: The name scops comes from Greek, translating to "a type of small owl," while bakkamoena is derived from bakamuna, the Sinhalese name for these birds.
