Tawny Owl

Strix Aluco

Distribution: United Kingdom and continental Europe, Asia Minor, Middle East, E. China and Taiwan and North Africa. 

Habitat: Semi-open deciduous and mixed forests with clearings and farmland that have avenues of tree’s, open woodland, parks, gardens, coniferous forests, rocky country with scattered tree’s and human settlements. 

Food: A wide variety of small mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, large insects, earthworms, snails and even occasionally fish.  

Facts: 

• Normally hunts from a perch, but will also flush roosting birds in the dark and snatching them on the wing. Large flying insects and bats are also taken in flight.
• Pairs are monogamous and stay together all year.
• Generally nocturnal, but maybe active during daylight hours; especially when there is young to feed.
• An agile flier, able to weave skilfully among the tree’s in woodlands and forests with quick wing beats, but in open areas glides with wings extended and mat even hover.
• Very vocal, particularly in autumn, winter and early spring.
• During the day they tend to roost among dense foliage, in natural tree hollows, barns, building or close against the trunk of a tree.
• The smaller male can weigh between 385-470 grams, while the larger female’s average between 480-660grams.
• Potentially can live up to 18-19 years in the wild, while 20-30 years in captivity.
• Average clutch size 3-5, although can lay 2-9. 

Our Tawny Owl / Brown Owl is commonly found in Woodlands and their nests are typically found in tree holes where it is able to protect its eggs and young against danger. This owl is non-migratory and highly territorial. The young owls, once the parent care ceases may starve to death if they can not find a vacant area to set up a nest. They fly silently at night when hunting, aided by their soft feathers. They are nocturnal and are often heard calling at night,. Although they can be seen, this can be quite difficult. You will only see them in the day if their roost site is disturbed. Tawny Owls are capable of catching smaller owls but are in danger of the Eagle Owl or Northern Goshawk. They eat small birds, mammals and rodents (they can eat these whole),frogs, worms, fish and insects.

You may believe that their night visit is exceptional but its retina is no more sensitive than yours! Its asymmetrically placed ears are what enables the Tawny Owl to hunt as they give them fantastic directional hearing. The Tawny Owl is an owl the size of a pigeon with a rounded head and body. They are found in England, Wales and Scotland, but not in Ireland.