Tawny Owl

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

Things With Wings