Eurasian scops owl, Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

© Milan Zygmunt/Alam

Info. Eurasian scops owl in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

Owls are divided into two families that make up the 200+ species around the world. The Tytonidae family includes barn owls, which have heart-shaped facial disks, while the larger Strigidae family consists of true (or typical) owls, most of which have round faces.

The Eurasian scops owl in our photo is a true owl and one of the smaller members of the Strigidae family. It is mostly found in regions of southern Europe, western Asia and Central Asia and migrates to warmer areas in sub-Saharan Africa during the winter. It is a largely nocturnal bird, most active from after sunset to midnight. The owl’s bark-coloured plumage provides excellent camouflage during the day, when it roosts in shady trees and hollows.