# Eurasian Scops-Owl (*Otus scops*) The Eurasian Scops-Owl is a small, fluffy owl with big eyes and a soft, gray-brown body. They are great at hiding in trees during the day and come out at night to hunt for insects and small animals. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eurasian Scops-Owl](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Scops_Owl_%28Otus_scops%29%252C_Kalloni%252C_Lesvos%252C_Greece%252C_19.04.2015_%2816773748434%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scops_Owl_%28Otus_scops%29%252C_Kalloni%252C_Lesvos%252C_Greece%252C_19.04.2015_%2816773748434%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Scops-Owl is a small, stocky owl with mottled grey-brown plumage, providing excellent camouflage. It has striking bright yellow eyes and small ear tufts that can be raised or flattened. Its delicate patterning distinguishes it from larger, more uniformly colored owls. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Otus ## Interesting facts - Its soft "boo" call helps these tiny owls find each other in the dark! - Scops-Owls can puff themselves up to look bigger when a predator gets too close. - These owls fly thousands of miles from Europe to Africa for winter vacation. - They often make their nests in old woodpecker holes high up in trees. ## Special abilities - **Disappearing Act:** Eurasian Scops-Owls can compress their feathers and stretch their body, mimicking a tree branch to hide from predators. - **Whisper Wings:** Eurasian Scops-Owls have specialized wing feathers that enable nearly silent flight, helping them surprise their prey. - **Night Vision Navigator:** Eurasian Scops-Owls have large eyes with many rods, giving them incredible night vision to hunt in the dark. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 19-21 cm - **Wingspan:** 47-54 cm - **Weight:** 0.06-0.135 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-8 years - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 24-25 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding A small but fierce hunter, it mostly eats creepy crawlies, moths, and other small insects. - **Primary Foods:** moths, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, lizards - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus campestris*) — A primary insect food source. - **Hunts:** [Common Cockchafer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-cockchafer) (*Melolontha melolontha*) — Frequently preyed upon during its flight season. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — A larger owl that preys on smaller owl species. - **Shelter:** [Great Spotted Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-spotted-woodpecker) (*Dendrocopos major*) — Utilizes old woodpecker holes for nesting. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe owls from a distance and do not disturb them in their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Scops-Owl? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Scops-Owl? 19-21 cm ### What is Eurasian Scops-Owl's wingspan? 47-54 cm ### How much does Eurasian Scops-Owl weigh? 0.06-0.135 kg ### How long does Eurasian Scops-Owl live? 6-8 years ### What does Eurasian Scops-Owl eat? A small but fierce hunter, it mostly eats creepy crawlies, moths, and other small insects. ### Where is Eurasian Scops-Owl usually found? Forests ### How does Eurasian Scops-Owl hunt? Ambush ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Scops-Owl: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-scops-owl)