Where to spot
Open woodlands, orchards, parks, and gardens, often near human habitation, across Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for winter.
How to spot
Listen intently for its distinctive, monotonous, single-note whistle call after dusk. Finding one visually is very challenging due to its excellent camouflage and small size. A careful use of a spotlight can sometimes reveal it at night.
When to spot
Strictly nocturnal. Best detected by its repetitive, whistle-like 'tjoo-tjoo-tjoo' call during the breeding season (spring/summer nights). Visual sightings are extremely rare without specific searching.
Where to spot
Open woodlands, orchards, parks, and gardens, often near human habitation, across Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for winter.
How to spot
Listen intently for its distinctive, monotonous, single-note whistle call after dusk. Finding one visually is very challenging due to its excellent camouflage and small size. A careful use of a spotlight can sometimes reveal it at night.
When to spot
Strictly nocturnal. Best detected by its repetitive, whistle-like 'tjoo-tjoo-tjoo' call during the breeding season (spring/summer nights). Visual sightings are extremely rare without specific searching.
The Eurasian Scops Owl is a master of camouflage; it can stretch its body vertically and compress its feathers to mimic a broken tree branch, making it almost invisible to predators and observers alike.