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Tawny owl

Tawny owl

The most abundant and best known owl

Our most numerous and well-known owl is the tawny owl. During the day, it rests and is only occasionally spotted. It lives in forests but is increasingly found near human habitation or even within urban areas.

 

 

Source: pixabay

Tawny owl (Strix aluco)

Size
  • up to 42 cm, wingspan up to 100 cm   

Weight
  • 400 - 600 g

Diet
  • mice, voles, shrews, bats, frogs, smaller birds, larger insects, and earthworms

Habitat
  • bright deciduous and mixed forests throughout Slovenia
 

 
Kingdom

  • Animalia
Phylum

  • Chordata
Class
  • Aves  
Order
  • Strigiformes
Family
  • Strigidae
Genus
  • Strix
Species
  • Strix aluco

The tawny owl's plumage can range from light to dark brown, and gray, with brown color interspersed with white feathers.

It hunts silently at night for prey such as mice, bats, voles, and frequently also birds, frogs, and insects. When food is scarce, it may even consume earthworms.

When do these owls hoot? From January to April, males hoot more frequently to mark their territory.

They nest at the end of March and early April in large tree hollows, abandoned raptor nests, buildings, caves, and nest boxes. They lay between 2 to 5 eggs, though sometimes there may be no eggs at all. The young fledge quickly and may hop to the ground even before they can fly.

The tawny owl inhabits bright deciduous and mixed forests adjacent to open areas or water. It is also frequently found near human settlements, in parks, and on cemeteries.

Source: pixabay

The large and dark brown eyes on its big head are adapted for seeing in the dark. The tawny owl does not build nests.

DID YOU KNOW?

  1. Along with the long-eared owl, the tawny owl is the most numerous owl in Slovenia.
  2. In the past, it was considered somewhat embarrassing among rural boys if you couldn't mimic its call well.
  3. It is believed that the tawny owl has the best night vision of all birds.