scops owl

 
Pronunciation: /skɒps/

noun

  • a small owl with distinctive ear tufts, found in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
    • Genus Otus, family Strigidae: many species, in particular the widespread Eurasian scops owl (O. scops)

Origin:

early 18th century: scops from modern Latin Scops (former genus name), from Greek skōps