The Japanese Scops Owl, Otus semitorques, is an owl which is a resident breeder in Japan.
This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.
It is very similar to the slightly smaller Collared Scops Owl, O. bakkamoena of which it is sometimes considered a race.
It nests in tree holes. The call of the male is a low sad sounding whoop.
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