Oriental Scops Owl

Otus sunia

Family: Owls · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 19 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds from northeastern Pakistan across the Indian subcontinent, China, southeastern Siberia, Japan, Korea, and Indochina; northern populations winter south to the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

Identification

Occurs in grey and rufous morphs, both recorded in Singapore. Grey morph has greyish-brown upperparts and head, bold dark streaks on whitish underparts, yellow eyes, and blackish bill. Rufous morph is similar but with orange-rufous upperparts and head.

Habitat

Forests, mangroves, parks and gardens.

Behaviour

Forages mainly on insects and spiders; hunts from a perch along forest edges, dropping onto prey or pursuing in flight.