Oriental Scops-Owl

The Oriental scops-owl is a small, variably plumaged, yellow-eyed owl with ear tufts that are not always erect. It has an extremely wide range across eastern and southern Asia and inhabits dry deciduous forest from Russia to Thailand. It is told from the collared scops owl by its whitish scapular stripe, well-marked underparts and lack of a pale collar (Wikipedia, general species account).

There are grey and rufous colour morphs, and the sexes look alike. It may freeze with half-closed eyes when disturbed. The call is a repeated liquid tuk tok torok. It nests in tree holes, especially in mahua trees, from February to April.