ExploreBirds

Tawny Owl

Strix aluco

The Tawny Owl is a beautiful bird that is mostly active at night. With its big eyes and soft feathers, it can see well in the dark and loves to hoot in the trees.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Tawny Owl is a medium-sized owl with a compact, rounded body and a large, round head without ear tufts. Its soft, cryptic plumage ranges from rufous brown to grey, mottled with darker streaks and spots, allowing it to blend perfectly into tree bark.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderStrigiformesFamilyStrigidaeGenusStrix
Tawny Owl
feathered trait badgespotted trait badgesolitary trait badgeambush_predator trait badge
Tawny Owl

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby Tawny Owls are called owlets and look like fluffy white cotton balls!

Tawny Owls often reuse old nests from crows or squirrels, rather than building their own.

Their distinctive 'hoo-hoo-hoo-HOOO' call is a classic sound of the European night.

These powerful owls can catch prey as large as a pigeon or a rat!

Special abilities

Ability

Silent Hunter

Tawny Owl has special serrated wing feathers that help them fly almost silently, making surprise attacks successful.

Ability

Night Vision Master

Tawny Owl can see very well in low light because of their large eyes packed with light-sensitive cells.

Ability

Super Hearing

Tawny Owl has asymmetrically placed ears that help them pinpoint the exact location of prey in total darkness.

Ability

Head Swivel

Tawny Owl can rotate its head up to 270 degrees to scan surroundings without moving its body.

Measurements & details

Length
37-43 cm
Wingspan
81-96 cm
Weight
0.385-0.8 kg
Lifespan
4-10 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
2-6
Incubation
28-30 days

Diet & Feeding

These nocturnal hunters munch on a variety of small animals, from tiny mice to birds.

Primary Foods

  • Voles
  • Mice
  • Shrews
  • Small birds
  • Frogs
  • Beetles

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Brown OwlWood Owl

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

If you see an owl, watch quietly from a distance and don't disturb it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Tawny Owl?

37-43 cm

What is Tawny Owl's wingspan?

81-96 cm

How much does Tawny Owl weigh?

0.385-0.8 kg

How long does Tawny Owl live?

4-10 years

How fast can Tawny Owl move?

40 km/h

What does Tawny Owl eat?

These nocturnal hunters munch on a variety of small animals, from tiny mice to birds.

Where is Tawny Owl usually found?

Forests

How does Tawny Owl hunt?

Ambush

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