Tawny Owl
Strix aluco
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Tawny Owl is a medium-sized owl with a robust build. Its plumage is mottled brown and grey, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark. The bird has a large, rounded head with dark eyes and no ear tufts. The facial disc is pale, almost off white.
Females are generally larger and heavier than males, but plumage is similar between the sexes. Juveniles resemble adults but have a more fluffy appearance and may show slightly paler markings.
Two colour morphs exist, grey or brown.
Size
Length
37cm to 43cm
Wingspan
94cm to 104cm
Weight
330g to 590g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Grey Yellow
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Tawny Owls inhabit a wide range of wooded habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, parks, and large gardens. They are found across much of Europe and parts of Asia, extending from the UK to western Siberia and Iran.
In the UK, Tawny Owls are widespread and common, absent only from Ireland and some Scottish islands. They are non-migratory, maintaining their territories year-round.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,350 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Tawny Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Tawny Owl demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in flight. Its ability to navigate through dense woodland, execute silent swoops for hunting, and rotate its head up to 270 degrees showcases exceptional manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a medium-sized owl, the Tawny Owl possesses moderate strength. It's capable of capturing and carrying prey such as voles and mice, but its strength is not exceptional compared to larger raptors.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Tawny Owls exhibit good adaptability, thriving in various wooded habitats from forests to urban parks. Their ability to utilise both natural cavities and artificial nest boxes for breeding demonstrates flexibility in nesting behaviour.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These owls display considerable aggression in defending their territories year-round. Their territorial nature and predatory behaviour, including hunting birds and mammals, indicate a relatively high level of aggression for their size.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Tawny Owls show moderate endurance. As nocturnal hunters, they can remain active throughout the night. However, their non-migratory nature and tendency to hunt from perches suggest they're not built for extended periods of high-energy activity.
Diet
Tawny Owls are mostly carnivorous, opportunistic predators, primarily feeding on small mammals such as voles, mice, and shrews. They also consume birds, amphibians, snails, beetles, worms, and large insects.
These owls swallow their prey whole, later regurgitating pellets containing indigestible parts. Hunting occurs at night, when they glide silently over their territory or stand motionless on a favourite perch, watching and listening for their next meal.
Behaviour
Tawny Owls are strictly nocturnal, roosting during the day in dense foliage or tree cavities. They are highly territorial, with pairs defending their territory year-round. These owls hunt from perches, swooping down silently to catch prey on the ground or in mid-air.
Remember that Tawny Owls can be very aggressive, particularly during the breeding season. They will often attack unsuspecting creatures, including humans, that they consider a danger to themselves or their offspring, so take care and avoid the immediate vicinity of nests.
Vocalisation
The Tawny Owl's call is one of the most recognisable owl sounds in Europe. The male's hooting call is a resonant 'hoo-hoo-ooo', often answered by the female's sharper 'kee-wick'. During courtship, pairs may engage in duets, with the male hooting and the female responding.
This has often been interpreted as a ‘ta-wit ta-woo’ sound where, in fact, the female’s ‘kew – wick’ sound is made first (‘ta-wit’) followed by the male’s response of ‘hooo’ (erroneously described as being ‘ta-woo’).
This archetypal owl noise is often used in films to create a spooky atmosphere at night, and it has come to epitomise the genre even though the Tawny Owl may not be a resident of many of the portrayed locations.
Nesting & Breeding
Tawny Owls form monogamous pairs and typically breed once a year. The breeding season usually begins in February or March in the UK.
These owls nest in tree cavities, old crow nests, or large nest boxes. The female lays 2-4 white, round eggs, which she incubates for about 30 days while the male provides food.
Chicks fledge after 32-37 days but remain dependent on their parents for several months. Young owls disperse in autumn to establish their own territories.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Tawny Owl is listed as Least Concern globally, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.
In the UK, conservation efforts focus on maintaining mature woodlands and providing nest boxes to supplement natural cavities.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'kee-wick' and 'hoo-hoo-ooo' calls at night
- Look for them perched in dense foliage during the day
- Search for pellets beneath regular roosting sites
- In the UK, check mature woodlands and parks, especially near water
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Adult Tawny Owls have few natural predators, but nestlings and fledglings may fall prey to pine martens, goshawks, and eagle owls.
Did You Know?
- Tawny Owls have asymmetrically placed ears, which helps them pinpoint the exact location of sounds.
- They can turn their heads up to 270 degrees to scan their surroundings.
- In the UK, Tawny Owls are sometimes called 'brown owls' due to their colouration.
References
- 1 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Strix aluco. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22725469A86871093.
View source - 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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