African Scops-owl
Otus senegalensis
Small owl with ear tufts, found in African savannas and farmlands.
| Scientific name | Otus senegalensis |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Bundi wa Afrika |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Size | Male: about 60-90 grams; Female: about 60-90 grams |
How to identify
Small body size, body length about 16 cm; distinct small ear tufts on the crown; plumage variable, usually gray-brown with spots; yellow eyes; call is a continuous low-pitched whistle
Habitat
Sparse savanna, shrubs, open woodlands, and edges of farmland
Diet
Mainly feeds on insects, occasionally preys on small vertebrates such as small lizards and small birds
When it is active
Nocturnal, most active at dusk and night
Where it lives
Distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, commonly found in Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Use red light flashlight at dusk or night, listen for its distinctive call; inhabits tree holes or dense shrubs
Photography tips
Use telephoto lens, increase ISO in low light conditions, stay quiet to avoid disturbance; use night vision equipment to assist shooting
Threats
Habitat destruction and deforestation; pesticide use leading to prey reduction
Similar species
Similar to other Otus species, distinguished by call and plumage pattern details
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