scops owl

[ skops ]

noun

1. any of a group of small owls having ear tufts and a whistling call, especially Otus scops Old World scops owl and O. sunia Oriental scops owl.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scops owl¹

1815–25; < New Latin < Greek skṓps little horned owl

Example Sentences

The writer ascribes this call to the collared scops owl (Scops bakkamoena).

From Project Gutenberg

Very different is the cry of the little scops owl (Scops giu).

From Project Gutenberg

Another Scops owl, with one eye, lives in the eastern aviary, in Church's care.

From Project Gutenberg

"But she is innocent as that bird in the air," screamed her lover, pointing to a scops owl which was sailing above the cypresses.

From Project Gutenberg