SANParks.org Forums

Thanks Imerbe.

I agree. Definitely Southern White Faced Scops.

The lack of pink eyelids in those photos should wipe out all confusion.

Do you perhaps have a part of the video where its eyes are open, BH?

As for nesting, I would reckon that the white-faced scops owl are more likelier to nest in a hollow than a verreaux's would.

Bottom line. This is a very good sighting of a not so common owl. I myself have only seen this bird once before. On a night drive with Irving on the H4-1 from Lower Sabie.

Yes I know it was a White-faced Scops-owl from the start but trust that I got you to focus on the way we answer some of the ID requests

When someone post a photo (especially when it is not a clear photo) and ask for an ID, one can assume that they saw the bird in the wild, battled to ID it, took a photo to look at it again later and still battle with an ID. Then the photo get posted here and they ask "Please help me ID this bird"

Many times such request is given a one line reply which states the name of the bird only. I can only assume that the person then goes "Oh OK it's called a "Whatsoyoucallit". I still don't see why they say it is that but if they say so then it must be a "Whatsoyoucallit"

After the ID was challenged the replies became more substantial highlighting specifics to look at and when I started stirring they got even better and we even got some more info on what the bird was observed doing (nesting in the hole in the tree and not merely perched on the branch). WTM even opened a book to see what the nesting habits of the Giant Eagle-owl is!!!!

We have to remember that there are a number of "new" birders here and some not so new (including me) that also sometimes battle with and ID. Adding a short sentence substantiating your ID will help all to better their ID skills. And yes sometimes the same bird pops up time-and-time again but we are here to help after all

So now WTM can relax for a while as I have tested his skill and he passed for now

We spotted this Owlet last weekend on the H 10 near Hillside w. This was definitely the spot of the trip for us. Well done Gem! This is only the second time I have seen this Owlet.

Great Sighting.. .......I've seen these a few times in Marble Hall area..........aswel as along the tar road towards Nylstroom many K's up! As for SANparks, they've been avoiding me!!

White-faced Scops Owl, Ptilopsis granti

This handsome bird is found in Africa south of the equator where is prefers open and riverine woodland. This one was seen next to the Limpopo River in Mapungubwe NP during a night drive.


Large view

Their breeding season varies greatly. Depending on location, they breed anytime from May to February, often nesting in abandoned nests of other birds, from pigeons to eagles. They will also use tree hollows and ground nest sites. 2 – 4 shiny, white eggs are laid at intervals and incubated for 30 days. Incubation starts immediately after the first egg is laid. Young owls leave the nest after four weeks and are independent by six weeks. Like other small owls, the White-faced Scops Owl is generally insectivorous, although they may take small birds, rodents and other small mammals. They hunt from an open perch and drop down on prey.

Mooiplaas picnic spot

Near Satara, Nov 2011:


Southern White-faced Scops-Owl by dinkybird, on Flickr


Southern White-faced Scops-Owl3 by dinkybird, on Flickr


Southern White-faced Scops-Owl2 by dinkybird, on Flickr

Wow, breath-taking pictures.

Amazing Dinks

It looks as if you saw the gem in broad daylight?