Meet the …. Scops owl, bird of the month July in the Rescue Center

Since we were on topic of the Owls, we decided you should not miss one of the smallest owls in Europe – the Scops owl (Otus scops).
This pretty and tiny chick has enough to offer for our story.

For example it is the only owl that migrates to the South in autumn together with the hordes of bird flocks. And because of this migration its mating period starts relatively later in spring than other owls. Young scops owls are one of the most adorable little fluffs you can meet in our baby room(and this month it’s crowded with them).

Its main food is small pray such as insects, mostly coleopterous, but also caterpillars and moths. Probably this is the reason for its annual migration to warmer places.

The rule for other baby owls applies for the scops as well: If you find a chick who has fallen off a nest and it has no visible injuries it is best to put it back up on a branch close to where you have found it. It is most probably not alone or abandoned, just its parents are physically unable to carry it back up, but continue to feed and take care of it.


Hristina Klisurova - Veterinarian
Public Relations, Wildlife Rescue Centre
e-mail: hhristova@greenbalkans.org; phone: + 359 886570053