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Tawny Owl

Strix aluco

Not yet photographed by the community

Most familiar owl; the classic hoot of British woodlands.

Species Profile

Green List (secure; stable population in the UK)

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.

Did You Know?

•The Tawny Owl comes in two colour morphs—grey and rufous—with no correlation to temperature or season
•Its asymmetrical ear placement allows it to pinpoint prey sounds within 1° of accuracy
•The 'tu-whit tu-whoo' call often attributed to Tawny Owls is actually a combination of two owls calling; the classic 'hoo-hoo-hoo' is the male's territorial call
•They can rotate their heads up to 270°, though they cannot move their forward-facing eyes side to side
•Tawny Owls have been recorded in the UK for over 2,000 years and feature prominently in folklore and literature

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