Owl, Pallid Scops

Conservation status:

Vagrant

Description:

Appearance very close to European Scops, but paler sandy grey above without white spots on crown or hindneck, greyer below with black streaks more sharply demarcated, being the only distinctive plumage feature (European Scops has black streaks more broken by vermiculations and paler blotches below, submerged by darker groundcolour); iris yellow. Juvenile has underparts completely barred (unlike adult and juvenile European Scops). Nocturnal. Voice the most important character.