The African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis) name is from the Latin otus for an eared owl. It is a very small, nocturnal, owl with small, well developed ear-tufts that are blade-shaped when erected. Grey and brown morphs are known to exist in its area – it is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. The Eurasian Scops Owl is slightly larger. When roosting in daylight, it closes its eyes and extends its ear insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, moths etc. but also spiders, scorpions and small vertebrates.
