Photo: Mikael Bauer / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Pemba Scops Owl
Otus pembaensis
Pemba Scops Owl (Otus pembaensis) — Owls of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Pemba Scops Owl (Otus pembaensis) is a member of the Strigidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 67 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Strigiformes
- Family Strigidae Owls
- Genus Otus
- Species pembaensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 67 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Strigidae
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Pemba Scops Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Pemba Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Pemba Scops Owl (Otus pembaensis) is a member of the Strigidae family, within the order Strigiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Pemba I. (off Tanzania).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 67 g, with a wing length of about 14.5 cm and a tail of around 7.5 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 970 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Pemba Scops Owl?
The Pemba Scops Owl is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 67 g.
Where does the Pemba Scops Owl live?
The Pemba Scops Owl is found across Africa with a range covering AF Pemba I. (off Tanzania), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Pemba Scops Owl belong to?
The Pemba Scops Owl (Otus pembaensis) belongs to the Strigidae family, in the order Strigiformes.
What does the Pemba Scops Owl eat?
The Pemba Scops Owl is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Pemba Scops Owl migrate?
The Pemba Scops Owl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Pemba Scops Owl endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Pemba Scops Owl make?
1 real field recording of the Pemba Scops Owl — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Pemba Scops Owl's range?
The Pemba Scops Owl has a mapped global range of about 970 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.