Small, pale gray owl with distinct tufted “horns.” Well camouflaged and rarely seen during the day, when it roosts in groves of trees in relatively open areas such as plantations, oases, and farmland. Similar to European Scops-Owl but with less extensive and simpler patterning: discrete thin black streaks on the back and breast instead of an assortment of blotchy patches and spots. Pallid’s voice is deeper than that of the rather squeaky European Scops.