White-faced Scops Owl

The White-faced Scops Owl inhabits savanna woodland and dry bushveld across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It stands out among African owls for its pale, almost silvery-grey plumage and a strikingly white facial disc bordered by a bold black rim, quite different from the more typically bark-toned scops owls.

It is well known for a dramatic defensive display in which it elongates its body, narrows its eyes, and raises its long ear tufts to appear larger and more intimidating when threatened.

Its feathers are notably pale and lightly streaked compared to most scops and screech owls, making the combination of grey tone and long ear-tuft plumes a useful identification clue within its African savanna range.

Shape and Size

Flight feathers are moderate for a small owl, roughly 15-18 cm on primaries, with soft fringed edges. Ear-tuft feathers are notably long and narrow.

Color and Pattern

• Overall pale grey ground color with fine dark streaking, lighter than most scops owls
• Facial disc feathers are whitish, bordered by a bold blackish rim
• Underparts pale grey-white with fine dark shaft streaks

Shaft and Vane

Shafts pale grey to whitish; vanes soft and lightly textured.

Distinguishing from Similar Species

The notably pale grey tone and long ear-tuft feathers separate this species from the more warmly toned African Scops Owl and other regional relatives, which show finer bark-mimicking vermiculation rather than this paler, more uniform grey.

Adults are pale grey overall with fine dark streaking, a whitish facial disc rimmed boldly in black, long prominent ear tufts, and orange eyes.

Sexes look alike, with females slightly larger. Juveniles are downier and paler, developing adult patterning and ear-tuft length with age. Adults undergo a single annual molt.

This species is found across savanna woodland, dry bushveld, and thornveld habitats through much of sub-Saharan Africa, generally avoiding dense rainforest.

It is a non-migratory resident across its range, though local movements may occur with seasonal changes in prey availability.

The White-faced Scops Owl is nocturnal, roosting by day in dense foliage. When threatened, it performs a striking display, stretching its body tall and thin, narrowing its eyes, and raising its ear tufts to mimic a broken branch or intimidate a predator. It feeds on large insects and small vertebrates.

It nests in tree cavities or old stick nests of other birds. Its call is a soft, bubbling hoot. A pale grey, lightly streaked feather with a long, narrow ear-tuft plume found in African savanna woodland is consistent with this species.