Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, is home to a diverse population of birds. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the island boasts a prime location for migratory birds traveling between Europe and Africa.
With its varying landscapes, including mountains, forests, and beaches, there are ample habitats for a wide variety of avian species. Due to its location and climate, many bird species call Mallorca home year-round, while others only visit during certain times of the year.
Bird enthusiasts flock to the island to observe the many different species of birds that inhabit this beautiful and diverse area. In this article, we will explore some of the birds that make this island their home.
1. Stone-Curlew
Stone-curlews, also known as dikkops or thick-knees, are a family of birds that have adapted to live in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world.
They can be found in Africa, Asia and Australia with two or more species per region. Despite being classified as waders, most prefer dry arid habitats over moist wetlands.
Stone-curlews typically have long legs which help them navigate through their preferred terrain efficiently; some species even stand at an impressive height when standing on those long legs.
Additionally they feature cryptic plumage which helps them blend into their surroundings while hunting for prey such as insects and small mammals like rodents.
These unique bird’s calls are easily recognizable; it has been said that hearing one is similar to listening to someone whistling ‘Keee Weee’.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Chionidi |
| Family | Burhinidae Mathews, 1912 |
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2. Bee-Eater
Bee-eaters are one of the most beautiful and vibrant birds in existence. They have a slender body, long wings, down turned bills and their signature elongated central tail feathers which make them instantly recognizable from afar.
Their plumage is incredibly colorful with many shades ranging from blues to greens to reds that glisten when they fly through the air.
These stunning creatures can be found all over Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, Australia and New Guinea where they feed mainly on bees but also other insects like flies or wasps as well as small mammals such as lizards or rodents.
Bee-eaters live in colonies near rivers or wetlands so that they may easily hunt for food while staying close together for safety purposes.
Additionally it allows them to better display their impressive courtship dances during mating season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
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3. Hoopoes
Hoopoes are a fascinating species of bird, found across Africa, Asia and Europe. They have beautiful plumage with unique ‘crowns’ of feathers on their heads.
Three living and one extinct species exist – although for some time they were all classed as the same species: Upupa epops. Some taxonomists still believe this to be true.
These birds are often associated with royalty due to the impressive crown-like crest atop their head, adding an extra element of mystery and exoticism to these creatures.
Hoopoes can also produce loud calls which sound like “hoo-poo” hence why they’ve been given such an apt name.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Upupidae Leach, 1820 |
| Genus | Upupa Linnaeus, 1758 |
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4. Western Yellow Wagtail
The Western Yellow Wagtail is a beautiful small passerine bird belonging to the Motacillidae family. It has a slender body that can range from 15-16 cm in length and its wings are mostly yellow with some blue feathers at their tips.
Its tail is black tipped, long and wags constantly during flight making it easy to identify this species of wagtail.
This particular breed breeds mainly throughout temperate Europe and Asia but only reside in milder areas such as western Europe due to colder climates migrating them southwards towards Africa or South Asia for warmer temperatures.
The Western Yellow Wagtails have been known for centuries due to their unique beauty making them an iconic part of many cultures around the world today.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Motacillidae |
| Genus | Motacilla |
| Species | M. flava |
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5. Red Kite
The Red Kite is a magnificent bird of prey, belonging to the family Accipitridae. It can be found in western Europe and northwest Africa where it breeds, while also occurring occasionally in northern Iran.
These birds are medium-large size with wingspans ranging from 125 – 170 cm wide. They have reddish brown plumage on their upperparts and pale gray underneath.
The Red Kite feeds mainly on small mammals, carrion and insects which they hunt for by soaring through the air using thermals to gain altitude before diving down onto its prey.
Furthermore, this species has adapted well to human presence since it often scavenges near roadsides or rubbish dumps as an easy source of food.
All things considered, these majestic creatures make up a beautiful part of our natural environment that should definitely not go unnoticed.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Milvus |
| Species | M. milvus |
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6. Balearic Shearwater
The Balearic shearwater is a medium-sized bird in the Procellariidae family, also known as puffins. It’s named after Mauretania, an old name for North Africa.
These birds can be found around islands and coasts of western Europe and northwest Africa.
They have long wings that help them to fly over vast distances during migration season from their breeding grounds to wintering areas farther south.
Their diet consists mainly of small fish which they catch by diving into the sea with great agility or plucking out of shallow waters while swimming on the surface.
When not mating or raising chicks, these birds live solitary lives at sea but gather together when feeding or roosting on land near coastal cliffsides and beaches where they nest in burrows underground lined with vegetation debris and feathersScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Puffinus |
| Species | P. mauretanicus |
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7. Red-Knobbed Coot
The Red-knobbed Coot is a species of rail and crake bird belonging to the Rallidae family. It is mostly found in Africa with presence in parts of southern Spain, breeding around freshwater lakes and ponds.
They build their nest from dead reeds near water’s edge or on floating platforms, laying about seven eggs but can lay more depending on environmental factors.
It was formally described by Italian ornithologist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1786 as Fulica cristata which translates to “crested coot” due its distinctive red knob located above the bill that it uses for display purposes during courtship rituals.
The Red-knobbed Coot has a black body with white beak and feet, making them quite easy to spot amongst other birds native to similar habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Fulica |
| Species | F. cristata |
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8. Western Subalpine Warbler
The Western Subalpine Warbler is a small, typical warbler that can be found in Europe and North-Western Africa.
It has distinct male and female plumages; the adult males have grey backs and heads with brick-red underparts as well as white malar streaks (“moustaches”).
The females are mainly brown above with a greyer head than their counterparts, while possessing whitish lower parts. Both genders of this species build nests on the ground or low bushes near water sources such as streams or rivers.
They enjoy an insectivorous diet which consists of larvae, beetles, spiders and other arthropods they find along branches or foliage.
This bird also forms flocks during migration periods to make navigation easier when travelling long distances at night time in search for better climates suitable for breeding purposes.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sylviidae |
| Genus | Curruca |
| Species | C. iberiae |
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9. Eleonora’s Falcon
Eleonora’s falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey that belongs to the hobby group of similar species. It has distinct features such as its light brown back, white belly and dark eye stripe.
This stunning creature can be found in parts of Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor where it feeds mainly on lizards, large insects and small birds.
Its conservation status is currently stable due to successful breeding programs across many countries which have helped prevent any further declines in population size.
Eleonora’s Falcon also plays an important role in maintaining balance within ecosystems by controlling pest populations like mice or locusts.
All these attributes make this beautiful raptor a truly remarkable animal worthy of admiration.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. eleonorae |
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10. Kentish Plover
The Kentish plover is an elegant shorebird found around the world in coastal areas, saline lakes and lagoons. Both males and females have pale plumages with a white underside, grey/brown back, dark legs and a black bill.
The male birds however feature one extra distinction; they sport chestnut crowns on their heads.
During mating season the males are known to perform elaborate courtship displays – flying up high into the air before diving rapidly towards its partner while singing loudly.
They can be seen nesting among rocks or sand dunes close to water bodies where they use broken shells as building material for their nests.
This species of bird provides many benefits including controlling insect populations near coasts as well as providing food sources for larger predators such as raptors during migration times when prey is scarce.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Charadrius |
| Species | C. alexandrinus |
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11. Spotted Flycatcher
The Spotted Flycatcher is a small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It has grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with two white wing bars on its wings and tail.
The adult also has an eye ring of pale brown or buff coloration around their eyes. This species breeds in most parts of Europe, Siberia and Palearctic regions, before migrating south for wintering in Africa and South Western Asia.
Unfortunately it is declining due to loss of habitat caused by deforestation and intensive agriculture practices over much of its range but some conservation measures have been taken which are helping this species recover somewhat from these declines.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Muscicapa |
| Species | M. striata |
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12. Purple Heron
The Purple Heron is a majestic wading bird from the heron family which can be found in Africa, central and southern Europe, as well as southern and eastern Asia.
It has an impressive wingspan of up to 1.2 meters and its plumage usually ranges from grey-blue to purple on its back with brown streaks on it’s chest.
This species breeds during summer months before migrating for winter habitats where they feed mainly on fish or frogs near wetlands or rivers.
The scientific name Ardea purpureus originates from Latin words meaning ‘heron’ and ‘coloured purple’ respectively – referring to this bird’s beautiful colouration.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. purpurea |
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13. Woodchat Shrike
The Woodchat Shrike is a unique species of bird belonging to the shrike family. It has an unmistakable red-brown crown and nape that make it easily distinguishable from other birds.
This species mainly feeds on insects, but will also take small vertebrates if they are available.
They have adapted well to living in open wooded areas with scattered trees such as orchards, where there’s plenty of bare ground for them to hunt on.
During breeding season the Woodchat Shrikes can be found throughout Southern Europe, Middle East and Northwest Africa; while during wintertime these fascinating creatures migrate south towards tropical regions of Africa for warmer weather conditions.
All in all this species makes a fantastic addition to any outdoor environment – so why not give them some extra attention next time you spot one?Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Laniidae |
| Genus | Lanius |
| Species | L. senator |
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14. Booted Eagle
The Booted Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey, typically found in the Palearctic and southern Asia. During winter months they migrate to Africa and Asia’s tropical regions.
A small population also breeds in south western Africa. It belongs to the Accipitridae family which includes all eagles.
Described formally back in 1780, it has an impressive wingspan reaching up to 1 meter across.
With its black tail feathers contrasting against its brown body plumage with white patches on the underside of their wings when seen from below makes for easy identification amongst other birds of prey during flight or perched atop trees or buildings surveying for potential food sources like rodents, insects and even reptiles at times.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Hieraaetus |
| Species | H. pennatus |
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15. Bonelli’s Eagle
Bonelli’s eagle is a majestic bird of prey, named after the Italian ornithologist and collector Franco Andrea Bonelli. It can be found in parts of Europe, Africa and Asia where it inhabits wooded hillsides or open mountain ranges.
The species has an impressive wingspan that reaches up to 6 feet across. They use their sharp talons to catch small animals such as lizards and rabbits which they hunt from high above the ground.
With its distinctive crestless head, streaked chestnut feathers on its back and white underparts this stunning raptor makes for quite a sight when soaring through the sky.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Aquila |
| Species | A. fasciata |
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16. Little Bittern
The Little Bittern is a wading bird in the heron family, Ardeidae. Its scientific name Ixobrychus minutus comes from Ancient Greek ixias and Latin for “small” respectively.
It breeds across Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia as well as Madagascar.
The Little bittern has an orange-brown back with streaks of black while its underside is white with dark stripes running down it sides giving it excellent camouflage to hide amongst reeds or tall grasses near shallow water bodies such as wetlands where they search for food like fish, frogs etc..
They are usually very shy birds but during mating season males make loud croaking calls that can be heard up to 400m away.
These beautiful little creatures have sadly been classified by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species due their declining population caused mainly by habitat destruction through agricultural practices or draining of wetland areas which leads to loss if nesting sites putting them at risk.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ixobrychus |
| Species | I. minutus |
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17. Pallid Swift
The Pallid Swift is a small bird that looks similar to the barn swallow or house martin, but it belongs to an entirely different order of birds.
This similarity in appearance is due to convergent evolution, which reflects their shared lifestyles.
These swifts have very short legs used only for clinging onto vertical surfaces such as walls and trees.
They are mostly found flying over open countryside during migration season and they feed on insects while in flight.
The feathers of this species range from greyish-brown above with white patches along its wings and tail, while beneath the body usually appears pale yellowish-white.
While these birds can be quite noisy when around roosting sites, they tend to remain silent when migrating through areas where humans live.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Apus |
| Species | A. pallidus |
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18. Moustached Warbler
The Moustached Warbler is a species of Old World warbler found in Southern Europe, North-West Africa and parts of temperate Asia. It has distinctive facial markings that give it its name – the moustache look.
The bird can be partially migratory depending on where they breed; birds from South West Europe are resident but those from South East may travel to Mediterranean regions for winter.
Those living in Asiatic areas migrate further south to India or Pakistan during colder months.
This beautiful little songbird is pale grey with brownish upperparts and white underparts, along with an eye stripe, dark line through the eyes and black bib which all contribute to its unique look.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus |
| Species | A. melanopogon |
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19. American Purple Gallinule
The American purple gallinule is a stunning bird found in North and South America. This species belongs to the order Gruiformes, which contains cranes, rails and crakes.
The family Rallidae classifies it as a rail species with its scientific name being Porphyrio martinica.
It is also known locally as the yellow-legged gallinule due to its striking plumage of greenish blue feathers on wings, back and tail along with bright red legs and bill.
Its environment includes freshwater marshes, swamps or paddy fields where these birds feed mostly on plants like water lilies or small invertebrates such as insects or molluscs.
These beautiful creatures are threatened by habitat destruction especially for agricultural purposes but conservation efforts are helping them survive despite this threat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Porphyrio |
| Species | P. martinicus |
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20. European Stonechat
The European stonechat is a small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae.
It was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1766 and has long been recognised as a subspecies of the common stonechat.
They have dark brown upperparts with black patches on their wings, reddish-orange throats and breast with grey colouring on its underside.
Males also have a distinctive white patch near their tail feathers while females lack this feature but instead possess two whitish spots at each side of their throat area.
These birds are mostly found in open grasslands or scrubland habitats where they feed mainly on insects although some seed consumption does occur during winter months when food becomes scarce.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Saxicola |
| Species | S. rubicola |
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21. Thekla’s Lark
The Thekla’s lark, also known as the Thekla lark, is a non-migratory bird species found in various parts of Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. This bird is commonly found in dry open areas and at higher elevations.
It was named after Thekla Brehm by Alfred Edmund Brehm in 1857.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Alaudidae |
| Genus | Galerida |
| Species | G. theklae |
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22. Common Firecrest
The Common Firecrest, a tiny bird from the kinglet family, is found in temperate Europe and northwest Africa. It is known for its bright orange and black striped crest which distinguishes it from other kinglets.
This bird is partially migratory, with those in central Europe moving southwards during winters.
The Firecrest breeds in different parts of its range and has a unique subspecies in the Balearic Islands and North Africa.
Despite being small, this bird has a melodious song and can be heard singing during the breeding season.
The Common Firecrest is a fascinating bird that adds color and charm to the forests and woodlands it inhabits.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Regulidae |
| Genus | Regulus |
| Species | R. ignicapilla |
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23. Cirl Bunting
The Cirl Bunting is a passerine bird that belongs to the Emberizidae family. It is commonly found in southern Europe, including Mediterranean islands and north Africa.
Unlike other species, it is a resident bird and does not travel during winters. The bird prefers to reside in open areas with some scrub and is prevalent in such regions.
The finches and Emberizidae families got separated into two distinct groups by modern authors.
The Cirl Bunting is a warm-weather bird that breeds in southern Europe, often in areas with light vegetation. Its scientific name is Emberiza cirlus.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Emberizidae |
| Genus | Emberiza |
| Species | E. cirlus |
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24. Sardinian Warbler
The Sardinian warbler is a species of typical warbler commonly found in the Mediterranean region. This bird has distinctive male and female plumages. The male has a black head, grey back, and whitish underparts, along with a white throat and striking red eyes.
The female has similar colors but with a brownish hue. There can be some variation in plumage even in the same area, with some birds having reddish upper- and/or undersides.
These birds are known for their lively and musical songs, performed both during breeding season and for territorial purposes.
Sardinian warblers are frequently found in scrubby habitats, including maquis and garrigue, where they feed on insects and other small invertebrates.
Despite their relatively common status, these birds are still vulnerable to threats such as habitat loss and predation by invasive species.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sylviidae |
| Genus | Curruca |
| Species | C. melanocephala |
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25. Wryneck
The wryneck is a unique type of small woodpecker found in the Old World. It belongs to the Jynx genus and is named after the Greek word iunx.
These birds are known for their ability to turn their heads almost completely around, which they use as a threat display when disturbed at their nest.
This behavior, combined with their hissing, has earned them the nickname “snake-bird”.
Although small, wrynecks are distinctive in their appearance and behavior, making them an interesting bird to observe.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae |
| Genus | Jynx Linnaeus, 1758 |
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26. Greater Short-Toed Lark
The Greater short-toed lark is a small bird found in Southern Europe, north-west Africa, and across the Palearctic from Turkey to Mongolia.
Its scientific name comes from Greek, with Calandrella meaning a smaller version of the Calandra lark and brachydactila indicating short toes.
This passerine bird is known for its distinctive short toes, which give it excellent balance and make it well-suited to life on the ground.
During breeding season, the Greater short-toed lark is known for its beautiful song, which can be heard as it flies overhead.
Despite its relatively small size, this bird is a skilled hunter, feeding primarily on insects and other small invertebrates.
Overall, the Greater short-toed lark is a fascinating bird with a unique set of adaptations that make it well-adapted to life in its various habitats.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Alaudidae |
| Genus | Calandrella |
| Species | C. brachydactyla |
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27. Crag Martin
The Crag martin bird is a small passerine species belonging to the swallow family. There are four known species which are closely related to each other, namely the Eurasian Crag martin, Pale Crag martin, Rock martin, and Dusky Crag martin.
These birds have been mistaken as one species in the past. The Crag martin is predominantly found nesting in rocky areas and cliffs.
Their compact size and agile movements allow them to navigate in tight spaces effortlessly. These birds are known to travel long distances for food and migrate during the winter season.
The Crag martin is an insectivore, primarily preying on flying insects. They have a typical swallow-like appearance with dark plumage and forked tails.
Despite their small size, the Crag martin is a resilient and hardy bird that has adapted well to its environment.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Subfamily | Hirundininae |
| Genus | Ptyonoprogne Reichenbach, 1850 |
28. Scops Owl
Scops owls belong to the genus Otus and are found only in the Old World. With 59 different species, Otus is the largest genus of owls. These birds are typically brownish in color with lighter underparts, which allows them to blend in with the bark of trees.
Some scops owls are polymorphic and can appear in either greyish or reddish-brown colors. These small owls are known for their distinctive calls, which are often used to communicate with their mates or defend their territory.
Although they are nocturnal, scops owls can be seen during the day perched on tree branches, where they rest and hide from predators.
Overall, scops owls are fascinating and elusive creatures that are an important part of the world’s biodiversity.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Otus Pennant, 1769 |
