White Faced Scops Owl

Sometimes described as the most beautiful of owls with their striking white face surrounded by black and with piercing orange eyes. It is such a distinctive species that it is sometimes given its own genus Ptilopsis by some specialists.

The openings of its ears are twice as large as those of any other comparable Scops Owls. When at rest this owl can look dumpy and rounded but when alert and active it adopts a variety of postures. “Tall and extremely thin” is one of our bird’s favourites!

There are two defined species, the Northern and Southern White- Faced and although they are residents of virtually the whole of Africa they are generally scarce and uncommon.

Like most owls, they bob and roll their heads from side to side in their efforts to pinpoint the position of prey and predators.

This use of parallax, which is facilitated by eyes and ears that are widely separated and facing forward, is one of the most distinctive features of the owl family. In total darkness, they use only their ears.

Although sometimes found by day these owls hunt entirely at night.