The Socotra scops owl was previously lumped with the African scops owl (Otus senegalensis), but differences in plumage and vocalisations have led to it being split to a separate species.

[3] An interesting theory this research has led to is that the oriental scops owl is a taxon that evolved from a colonisation of the continent from island ancestors, an event which had previously been thought unlikely because island taxa were thought to be less competitive than related continental taxa.

The plain facial disc has vague margins and the shoulder stripe is not as conspicuous as in other scops owls and are sandy-coloured.

It probably mainly feeds on insects and small vertebrates; the stomach contents of a single specimen contained a grasshopper, a centipede and two lizards.

[3] Two 20-day-old young have been recorded on the nest in February, their age suggesting that the eggs were laid in early January.