TAWNY OWL
Strix aluco
DESCRIPTION
The Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) is a medium-sized owl known for its distinctive rounded face and large, dark eyes. It has a mottled brown and grey plumage that provides excellent camouflage in its woodland habitat.
FUN FACTS
- Tawny Owls can rotate their heads almost 270 degrees | They have excellent night vision, allowing them to hunt effectively in low light | Their distinctive hoot can be heard up to a mile away
QUICK INFO
Lifespanup to 15 years in the wild, longer in captivity
Average Weight400-600 g
Average Length37-46 cm
Diet TypeCarnivore
Social Structurepair, typically monogamous during the breeding season
Activity PatternNocturnal
Breeding SeasonSpring (March-May)
- Habitat
- Tawny Owls inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, often favoring areas with dense tree cover. They can also be found in parks and gardens.
- Biomes
- Temperate Forest, Boreal Forest
- Native Range
- Widespread across Europe and parts of Asia, extending from the British Isles to western Siberia.
- Continent
- Europe, Asia
- Countries
- United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Russia
- Diet
- Tawny Owls primarily feed on small mammals, birds, and insects. They are known for their hunting prowess, often capturing prey at night.
- Diet Type
- Carnivore
- Favorite Food
- mice, voles, small birds
- Social Structure
- pair, typically monogamous during the breeding season
- Activity Pattern
- Nocturnal
- Group Size
- 1-2
- Territorial
- 1
LC
400-600 g
Weight
37-46 cm
Length
- Coloration
- mottled brown and grey with a pale face
- Sexual Dimorphism
- females are generally larger than males
- Lifespan
- up to 15 years in the wild, longer in captivity
- Offspring per Birth
- 2-4
- Sexual Maturity
- 1 year
- Breeding Season
- Spring (March-May)
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List Status
- Population Status
- The Tawny Owl population is generally stable, though local declines may occur due to habitat loss.
- Wild Population Estimate
- 1,000,000-2,000,000
- Population Trend
- Stable
- Endangered
- 0
- Threats
- Main threats include habitat destruction and road traffic accidents. Urbanization can also impact their nesting sites.
- Predators
- larger birds of prey, domestic cats
- Defense Mechanisms
- Tawny Owls rely on camouflage and silent flight to avoid detection by predators.
- Found in Zoos
- Uncommon