An Indian Scops Owl resting in a palm tree near Bharatpur. It is 23 to 25 centimetres tall and has greyish-brown upperparts and greyish-buff underparts with fine black streaks and tiny crossbars.

However, this species is highly variable in colour and morphs with more brown or more grey, as well as an intermediate morph also exist.

This nocturnal bird of prey is a widespread resident on the Indian subcontinent, south of the Himalayas. It is very similar to the Collared Scops Owl, but the latter has a pale yellowish-white bill without a black tip and is more heavily streaked on the underside, with broader and shorter streaks (fig.).