Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena)

About the Indian Scops Owl

The Indian scops owl (Otus bakkamoena) is a species of owl native to South Asia. This species formerly included the collared scops owl (Otus lettia). The species epithet is derived from "bakamuna", the Sinhalese name for the eastern barn owl (Tyto javanica), and the brown fish owl (Ketupa zeylonensis). The Indian scops owl is a small 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) owl, although it is one of the largest of the scops owls. Like other scops owls, it has small head tufts, or ears. The upperparts are grey or brown, depending on the morph, with faint buff spotting. The underparts are buff with fine darker streaking. The facial disc is whitish or buff, and the eyes are orange or brown. There is a buff neckband. Sexes are similar. The flight is deeply undulating.