Main content

Eurasian Scops Owl

David Attenborough presents the Eurasian scops owl found in Mediterranean regions.

Tweet of the Day is the voice of birds and our relationship with them, from around the world.

Sir David Attenborough presents the Eurasian scops owl found in Mediterranean regions. In summer a mournful monosyllabic call interrupts the heady scented air of a Greek olive grove at dusk. A male scops owl is proclaiming his territory with a repeated call lasting over 20 minutes. Hearing these tiny owls, no bigger than a starling is one thing, seeing one roosting in an old tree is quite a challenge. They feed mainly on moths and beetles which they hunt for in open country with scattered trees. By autumn these largely nocturnal birds are heading south to sub-Saharan Africa, until the following spring when once again the olive groves resound to their plaintive song.

Available now

2 minutes

Last on

Thu 25 Aug 2022 05:58

Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops)

Webpage image courtesy of Bengt Lundberg / naturepl.com

NPL Ref听 漏 Bengt Lundberg / naturepl.com

The Eurasian scops owl is also known as 'common scops owl'.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 24 Sep 2014 05:58
  • Sun 28 Sep 2014 08:58
  • Fri 12 Feb 2016 05:58
  • Mon 13 Aug 2018 05:58
  • Thu 25 Aug 2022 05:58

Podcast: Planet Puffin

Podcast: Planet Puffin

Exploring all things puffin - the silly and the serious, the scientific and the cultural.

Try this new podcast

Five stories of birds and birdsong are told by the people inspired by them.

Podcast