African Scops-Owl © fineartamerica.com

Probably forms superspecies with Pallid Scops-Owl (Otus brucei), Eurasian Scops-Owl (Otus scops), Oriental Scops-Owl (Otus sunia) and Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus). Formerly considered conspecific with Eurasian Scops-Owl (Otus scops), but separated specifically on basis of differences in voice, plumage and size. Subspecies socotranus and pamelae sometimes placed with Pallid Scops-Owl (Otus brucei), but closer to present species, or may even be specifically distinct. Several additional subspecies described on basis of differences in plumage, morphology and/or size. Populations from central Ethiopia to Somalia and northern Kenya, from north-eastern Zaire and western Uganda, and from Swaziland and eastern Cape Province sometimes separated as, respectively, caecus, ugandae and latipennis, but probably only colour morphs. Birds described from southern Sudan and north-western Ethiopia (pygmea), eastern Kenya and Tanzania (graueri), Angola east to Malawi (hendersonii), eastern Malawi to northern Mozambique (pusillus) and Namibia to northern Natal and southern Mozambique (intermedius) poorly differentiated and seem to fall within range of variation of nominate.

The following 5 subspecies are recognised:

• senegalensis (Swainson, 1837)   -  From Senegal and Sierra Leone east to north-western Ethiopia and Somalia, southern (except in south-eastern Kenya) to south-eastern South Africa.
• pamelae Bates, 1937   -  Southern Saudi Arabia. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Arabian Scops-Owl (Otus pamelae).
• socotranus (Ogilvie-Grant and Forbes, 1899)   -  Socotra I. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Socotra Scops-Owl (Otus socotranus).
• feae (Salvadori, 1903)   -  Annobon I (Pagalu), in southern Gulf of Guinea. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Annobon Scops-Owl (Otus feae).
• nivosus Keith & Twomey, 1968   -  South-eastern Kenya (lower Tana R to Lali Hills).

Files:

More Information

BirdLife International For more information about the African Scops-Owl see... BirdLife International Species Factsheet. Articles about the African Scops-Owl If you would like to read any articles about the African Scops-Owl... Show Articles (0) No Pictures of African Scops-Owl If Birdpedia has no pictures of African Scops-Owl or you would like to see more, then try the following...       From BING (6) No Videos of African Scops-Owl If Birdpedia has no videos of African Scops-Owl or you would like to see more, then try the following..       From BING (0) Where can I observe this species? Select an area (or leave blank) to see locations where this species has been recorded. Area   DJIBOUTI   All    Optional: Complete the following if you wish to restrict the reserve to within a given distance of a location. Please enter the Latitude and Longitiude of a given location together with the maximum distance (km) to display a list of reserves within that distance. You must enter a Latitude, a Longitude and a distance greater than 0.   Latitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          N S or   GPS help Longitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          E W or   Find GPS using Google Maps Distance Bearing     N NE E SE S SW W NW Get Sample GPS readings On What Field Trips was this species observed? Select an area (or leave blank), and a date range, to see field trips on which this species has been recorded. Area   DJIBOUTI   All    From To     Optional: Complete the following if you wish to restrict the reserve to within a given distance of a location. Please enter the Latitude and Longitiude of a given location together with the maximum distance (km) to display a list of reserves within that distance. You must enter a Latitude, a Longitude and a distance greater than 0.   Latitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          N S or   GPS help Longitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          E W or Distance Bearing     N NE E SE S SW W NW Get Sample GPS readings Latest Sightings for African Scops-Owl Select the Area to restrict the Sightings. Area   DJIBOUTI   All