- Lifespan
- 8–12 years in the wild; maximum recorded age around 20 years
- Size & Weight
- 37–43 cm, wingspan 81–105 cm; 330–680 g (females larger than males)
- Habitat
- Woodlands, parks, gardens, and mature trees in farmland; adaptable to urban and suburban environments across the UK.
- UK Distribution
- Resident year-round throughout England, Wales, and Scotland (including Hebrides and Shetland); sedentary with minimal migration.
- Diet
- Small mammals (voles, mice, shrews), birds, insects, and amphibians; hunts primarily at night using exceptional hearing.
- Prey
- Wood mice, bank voles, blackbirds, thrushes, frogs, and large insects; prey size typically 10–50 g
- Predators
- Golden eagles, goshawks, and buzzards may take young owls; eggs and chicks vulnerable to corvids and pine martens
- Mating Season
- January to April (courtship and egg-laying)
- Breeding
- Clutch of 2–5 white eggs (typically 3–4); incubation 28–29 days; single brood; fledging at 34–35 days
- Behaviour
- Nocturnal hunter with incredible low-light vision and directional hearing pinpointing prey in darkness. Highly territorial and vocal, producing distinctive hooting calls year-round. Often roosts in tree cavities, nest boxes, or dense ivy during the day.