African Scops Owl
Call & Sounds

African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)

African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)

The African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis) is Africa’s smallest owl species, weighing in at only 50 to 90 grams.  They are widespread across Africa and inhabit a range of habitats including wooded savannas, forests, parks and gardens. African Scops Owl are masters of camouflage, their patterned brown and grey plumage blending well with the trunk or branches of a tree when roosting during the day.

What does a African Scops Owl sound like? African Scops Owls make a distinctive advertising call – a short, purring trill ‘prrrup’ which is repeated at intervals for long periods. Each note of this call is actually a very short oscillating trill, giving it the purring quality. Other sounds include a nasal mewing call, soft croaking notes and growling & hissing sounds. 

Listen to some examples of African Scops Owl calls and sounds below.