Tawny Owl

Strix aluco

Genus · Wood Owls and Allies Family · Typical Owls
Observation tips Difficulty: HARD
Best time
🌙 Night
Activity
🌙 Nocturnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Dense foliageNest boxesRoofsTree hollows

Listen for hooting at dusk or dawn. Look for pellets (bones and fur) at the base of old trees during the day.

Tawny Owl

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan81–105 cm
Weight380–800 g
Length37–46 cm
Lifespan wild4–18 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size2–3 eggs
Incubation28–30 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Carnivore

🐸Amphibians
🦅Birds
🦗Insects
🐭Mammals
🪱Worms

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Tawny Owls have asymmetrical ears that help them pinpoint prey in complete darkness by detecting tiny differences in how sound reaches each ear.

About

The classic owl of the woods and the most common owl in Europe. It is a stocky bird with a large round head and dark eyes. Its plumage provides perfect camouflage against tree bark. It is a strictly nocturnal resident bird. It is rarely seen during the day unless disturbed by a group of smaller birds.

Behaviour

Tawny Owls are highly territorial. The famous 'twit-twoo' call is actually a duet. The female says 'ke-wick' and the male responds with a quavering 'hoo-hoo-oooo'. They hunt small mammals, birds, and large insects. They usually nest in tree hollows or large nest boxes.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Slightly smaller than the female with a deeper, more resonant hoot.

♀ Female

Noticeably larger and heavier. Females occur in two color forms: warm brown or cool slate-grey.

Similar species

Long-eared Owl
🐦
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Little Owl
🐦
Little Owl
Athene noctua
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