Short notes on a nest of Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia

Collared Scops Owl is the commonest owl species in Hong Kong, they are widely distributed here, Wing Tung and I saw and heard many in our birding life but taking good photos of this species is not always easy, mainly due to its nocturnal behaviour. In Apr 2018, we were lucky enough to visit an active nest of Collared Scops Owl, allowing us to take some better shots and observe the feeding behaviour of this family.

This nest consisted of two adults and five chicks. This post was uploaded after fledging. Also, it will be worth studying whether artificial lighting causing any effect to owl nesting behaviour before a conclusion is made in future.

From the three days’ observation, very few disturbance was made by all birders or photographers and owls and chicks looked stressless. Birders and photographers behaved well and also helped in guarding the owl from illegal poachers, which can still be found in HK nowadays.

24 Apr 2018 (715pm to 11pm)
arthopods (mainly cockroaches, one centepede and other tiny insects): 10+ times
mammals (small rat): 2 times
reptiles (geckos): 1 time

after we left, the chicks were seen being fed by a small frog too.


28 Apr 2018 (745pm to 830pm)
chicks got bigger and adult owl came infrequently even no torch was used. Begging calls from different chicks were heard.

reptiles (probably small snake): 1 time
unknown prey: 1 time
mammals (rat): 1 time, but the adult came with the same rat for three rounds and fed the chicks at last


1 May 2018 (12noon to 2pm)
we went to see the owls in day time. No feeding was observed, one adult with five chicks were there while three were ready to fledge.

Collared Scops Owl with chick at nest

Collared Scops Owl

with cockroaches

another cockroaches, with two chicks which were more mature

Collared Scops Owl

chicks were curious sometimes

fed cockroaches again

with centepede

sometimes we could study the upperwing patern

chicks during daytime

Collared Scops Owl, I cannot identify their sex when the two separate. Can you spot the white-eye? From our past experience, Japanese White-eye are always faster to find an owl than us.

Collared Scops Owl