African Scops Owl

Otus senegalensis (Swainson, 1837)

Strigidae — Owls

African Scops Owl, Otus senegalensis, is a widespread owl of sub-Saharan Africa. It belongs to the family Strigidae and was first described by Swainson in 1837. This bird is a small species, and its plumage is usually greyish-brown, though it can also appear paler rufous or warmer brown. It is marked with streaks and mottling, has a grey facial disk edged in black, yellow eyes and ear tufts that are normally held down unless disturbed. It lives in wooded places, forest edges, gardens and mangroves.

Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae — Owls
Breeding range
Africa: widespread
African Scops Owl
© Derek Keats · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

7 tours in The Gambia 4, South Africa 1, Uganda 1, Namibia 1

8-Day Birds of South Africa with Wild Selection Tours
8-Day Birds of South Africa with Wild Selection Tours
South Africa / Johannesburg Group tour 8 days

An eight-day small-group birding journey from Johannesburg to the Makuleke region, combining guided drives, walks and time in varied norther...

From USD 3,900 Next: Nov 13, 2026
5-Day Inland Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
5-Day Inland Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
The Gambia / Tendaba Private tour 5 days

Spend four nights and five days birding inland Gambia’s river, wetland, woodland and savannah country on a private trip with JJ....

8-Day Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
8-Day Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
The Gambia / Kotu Private tour 8 days

Sample coastal wetlands and woodland plus a shorter inland component on an eight-day private Gambia birding tour with JJ....

10-Day Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
10-Day Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
The Gambia / Kotu Private tour 10 days

Balance well-known coastal sites with a selected inland extension on a private 10-day Gambia birding tour guided by Junkung Jadama....

14-Day Extended Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
14-Day Extended Gambia Birding Tour with JJ
The Gambia / Kotu Private tour 14 days

Use 14 private birding days to range from western Gambia’s coastal habitats through river country to the far east with Junkung Jadama....

15-Day Uganda Birding Tour 2027
15-Day Uganda Birding Tour 2027
Uganda / Entebbe Group tour 15 days

A 15-day Uganda birding circuit from Entebbe through Mabamba Swamp, Lake Mburo, Mgahinga, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Semliki for Sh...

From USD 4,685
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls with Birding Ecotours
Southern Africa Birding Expedition: Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls with Birding Ecotours
Namibia / Walvis Bay Group tour 18 days

An 18-day birding expedition from Namibia's Atlantic coast through Etosha and the Okavango Panhandle to Victoria Falls, combining desert nea...

From USD 10,206