African scops owl

Introduction: African scops-owls (Otus scops-owl) inhabit arid savannah woodland especially mopane woodland and acacia parklands that extend along watercourses into grassland and desert. Absent from true desert and treeless grassland. Nocturnal but roosts by day tucked against a branch or tree-trunk. Emerges just after dark or late dusk, eyes wide open ready to hunt.

Distribution: Common in north and central Namibia including Etosha National Park, Caprivi, Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

Diet: Drops to ground from perch. Eats grasshoppers, bugs, moths, caterpillars, crickets, cockroaches, spiders and scorpions.

Description: Otus is the Greek word for 'an earred owl'. Small owls with ear tufts, small bills, legs and feet. Long and broad wings, small ears.

Breeding: Nests in broken tree cavities. Females lay between 2 and 4 eggs in October with an incubation period of around 22 days. Monitor lizards take eggs.

Size: 18cm.

Weight: 65g.