Encounter with a Collared Scops Owl
Posted by BESG on 2 May 08, Friday
Contributed by Johnny Wee
During his regular morning walks in the Central Catchment Forest in February 2008, Johnny Wee had a number of surprise encounters with the Collared Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena). Each time the encounter was in a different location, perching on a branch of a tree and staring at him. He did not have his usual photographic gear with him the first time and could not record his sighting. Other times when he was prepared, the owl flew off as soon as he approached. He was lucky on 15th February when he suddenly saw the “cute little owl” staring at him at around 0900 hours. This time he had his camera with him and is sharing one of his images with us here (above).
The Collared Scops Owl is a common resident found in forests, wooded areas, parks and even in urban areas. This small, stocky bird, only about 23 cm high, is often heard but seldom seen.
An earlier post reported the failed nesting of the owl in Mount Faber due to flooding of its nest that was built in the depression of an angsana (Pterocarpus indicus) branch fork.
As with most tropical small owls, very little is known of its behaviour. Nocturnal in habits, it has been seen dust- and water-bathing during the day.
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Categories: Owls
Comment by Rosa Peck
Made Tuesday, 20 of October , 2009 at 9:05 am
Vanderbilt Beach - Naples, FL…Today my husband pulled down the attic stairs in the garage of our guest house and out flew a Collared Scops Owl. It perched on a high cabinet top in the garage. He snapped a few pictures on his phone and sent them to me at the office. He continued his tasks in the garage and spent about a hour only a few feet from the “little girl” as he named her. I rushed home to take a peek. I believe she found us as interesting as we found her. We left the garage door open and the attic steps down and left. We returned later and she was still on her perch in the garage. We came back a little after dark and his little girl was gone. I rushed home and searched the internet for owls comparing the picture he captured to owls in my internet search. I found the perfect match on your site. We experienced one of life’s little blessings today. It was a good day.
Comment by YC
Made Tuesday, 20 of October , 2009 at 10:24 am
Thanks for visiting. However, I do not think Collared Scops Owl is seen in your part of the world. How about Eastern Screech-owl?
Comment by Rosa Peck
Made Sunday, 25 of October , 2009 at 11:24 pm
Vanderbilt Beach, Naples FL. I found a picture of an Eastern Screech-owl. Maybe but just not sure. Obviously I’m not a educated or experienced bird watcher so you are probably correct. However, it was an experince my husband and I will not soon forget. Is it a possibly that the “little girl” was someones pet? She seemed so calm and comfortable with us.
We are avid watchers of the great horned owls that nest each year in the top of our neighbors palm tree. It is a evening gathering of neighbors watching the owls watch us. They are awesome. We did have some pet cats diappear around the neighborhood last winter and we certainly observed less fruit rats roaming the area at night as in previous years.
