Area of zoo
Birds of the World arena
IUCN status
Least Concern
Scientific name
Ptilopsis leucotis
Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae
Region
Africa
Habitat
Woodland savannah, scrub and bush.

White-faced Scops Owl facts

  • White-faced Scops Owl are able to transform to ward off predators, by either making themselves appear much larger or smaller.
  • Most prey is swallowed whole and the indigestible bits, such as bones, feathers and fur, are regurgitated as pellets.
  • Their nests may be built in old nests of other birds, in a treehole or even on the ground.

What do white-faced scops owls look like?

Their faces are characterised by two “ear” tufts with black tips and large orange eyes. Their faces are white with a black boarder, while their general plumage is grey with dark streaks and white spots.

What do white-faced scops owls eat?

Insects, small mammals and birds.

White-faced scops threats

Habitat loss - human encroachment is making it harder and harder for Scops owls to find safe homes in which to nest and breed,

Give a hoot about our conservation work with other species

  • Scmitar-horned Oryx introductions in Chad
    Ground-breaking reintroduction

    Scmitar-horned Oryx introductions

    Restoring the scimitar-horned to its historical range in the 78,000km² Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Game Reserve in central Chad.

  • View of Chiltern Downs from Whipsnade Zoo
    Native wildlife at the Zoo

    Native wildlife conservation

    From moles to badgers, from grizzled skipper butterflies to cinnabar moths and slow worms, from grass ants to bumble bees, Whipsnade is a haven for biodiversity and we do everything we can to protect it.

  • Family of four at Whipsnade Zoo in with the lemurs
    Get closer to wildlife

    Whipsnade Zoo Tickets

    Explore a world of wildlife at the UK's biggest Zoo

  • Learn more about our conservation zoo