African Scops Owl

The African scops owl (Otus senegalensis) is a small owl which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. == Taxonomy == William Swainson first described the species in 1837 from a specimen collected in Senegal, and initially assigned it to the now defunct genus Scops. Today the species is assigned to the genus Otus. There are three subspecies currently recognised: Otus senegalensis senegalensis: Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa Otus senegalensis nivosus: Found in south-eastern Kenya from the lower Tana River to the Lali Hills Otus senegalensis feae: Endemic to Annobón island in the Gulf of Guinea (regarded by Birdlife International as a separate species, the Annobón scops owl) The African scops owl was formerly regarded as the African subspecies of the European scops owl. It was grouped with the Arabian scops owl, Socotra scops owl, and the Annobón scops owl into O. senegalensis; however, these species are now considered to be separate. == Description == The African scops owl is a small owl, measuring 17 cm (6.7 in) in length. It is typically greyish-brown, though sometimes pale rufous or warmer brown, and is cryptically marked with streaks and mottling. Its grey facial disk has a narrow black edge, and its eyes are yellow.…