White-faced Scops Owl (Ptilopsis leucotis)

This is a new addition to the centre for 2010. 'Peanut' arrived at the centre at around 12 days old and is being hand-raised and will become one of our flying birds.

In the wild

These Scops Owls are larger than other species of Scops Owl in the Otus genus and hence catch larger prey than their smaller relatives.

Origin: Throughout Sub-saharan Africa. Two species recognised: Northern White-faced across central belt of Africa, Southern White-faced (P. granti) south to northern South Africa. Species are very similiar in colouration and are only distinguishable by their song.

Diet: Invertebrates and small vertebrates, such as moths, crickets, beetles, scorpions, spiders, and small reptiles, birds and mammals (especially rodents and shrews). Hunts from a perch swooping down on its prey on the ground.

Habitat: Savanna with scattered trees, dry open forest, woodland with closed canopy, forest edges and clearings. Absent in desert or dense tropical rainforest.

Is a nocturnal bird, roosting by day in trees or dense foliage in an slim upright position to avoid detection. Very well camourflaged by its colouration. They leave roosts at dusk and sing from prominent positions, they will call anytime of the night but most especially at dusk and dawn.