Eurasian Scops-owl / Otus scops **

The Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) is a small, compact owl known for its excellent camouflage and unobtrusive behavior. Typically nocturnal, it favors open woodlands, groves, orchards, and tree-lined landscapes, where it roosts quietly during the day, often pressed against tree trunks. Its grey-brown, finely patterned plumage closely resembles bark, making it extremely difficult to detect when stationary. The species feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates, hunting from low perches with short, swift flights. In the United Arab Emirates, the Eurasian Scops Owl occurs primarily as a passage migrant and winter visitor, recorded during migration periods and in suitable green pockets such as farms, gardens, parks, and lightly wooded wadis. It is most often encountered by its soft, repetitive call rather than by sight, reflecting its secretive nature and preference for discreet roosting sites.

NOT EVALUATED DATA DEFICIENT LEAST CONCERN** NEAR THREATENED VULNERABLE ENDANGERED CRITICALLY ENDANGERED EXTINCT IN THE WILD EXTINCT
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