Introduction: Southern white-faced scops owl (Ptilopsis granti) are named after WR Ogilvie-Grant (1863-1924) a British ornithologist. They inhabit a wide range of bush and woodland, from tall miombo forests to low thorn scrub. These owls are most common though in areas of scattered thorn trees, especially on Kalahari sands, roosting by day under dense cover against a large branch or tree trunk.
Distribution: Central and northern regions of Namibia including Etosha National Park, Windhoek, Swakopmund/Walvis Bay and the Caprivi.
Diet: Moths, beetles, spiders and scorpions and small invertebrates such as squirrels, rodents, shrews and birds.
Description: Closely related to the Otus genus but is larger and has longer ear tufts. They have orange-red eyes (not yellow) and larger ear openings. Ptilosis is the Greek word for 'downy feathered'. Often confused with the African scops-owl.
Breeding: Frequents nests of other birds such as goshawk, heron, hawk, crows and doves. Females lay between 2 and 4 eggs from September to March. Incubation periods are around 30 days.
Size: 28cm.
Weight: 190g.
Birds of Namibia Wildlife of Namibia
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