Nicobar Scops Owl
Otus alius
Nicobar Scops Owl (Otus alius) — Owls of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Nicobar Scops Owl (Otus alius) is a member of the Strigidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 95 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Otus
- Species alius
Quick facts
- Weight
- 95 g
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Nicobar Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Nicobar Scops Owl (Otus alius) is a species of bird in the Strigidae family, part of the order Strigiformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Nicobar Is.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 95 g, with a wing length of about 13.5 cm and a tail of around 8.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 998 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Nicobar Scops Owl?
The Nicobar Scops Owl is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 95 g.
Where does the Nicobar Scops Owl live?
The Nicobar Scops Owl is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Nicobar Is, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Nicobar Scops Owl belong to?
The Nicobar Scops Owl (Otus alius) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
Does the Nicobar Scops Owl migrate?
The Nicobar Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Nicobar Scops Owl endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
How large is the Nicobar Scops Owl's range?
The Nicobar Scops Owl has a mapped global range of about 998 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Strigidae
A field guide to the Strigidae family — 236 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.