Fascinating Facts about..
Tawny owl
Scientific name: Syrix aluca
This is the most common and widespread owl in Europe with around 50-100,000 pairs in Britain.
The tawny owl is the biggest common owl in the UK, about the size of a pigeon. The females weigh more than the males.
The male tawny owl calls with the familiar “twit-twoo” or “hooo-hoo-hooo” sound. The female may return the call with a “kee-wick” call.
Male and female tawny owls bond for life.
The tawny owl is nocturnal and therefore not often seen in daylight.
Tawny owls are territorial and will range over the same area throughout their lives. They prefer woodland and farmland, but will live in urban areas such as parks and gardens.
In autumn they nest mainly in old tree hollows, but will use old nests or crevices in rocks or old buildings.
They hunt and eat small mammals, plus small birds, insects, worms or frogs. Owl pellets can be examined to see what they’ve been eating.
Tawny owls have exceptionally good hearing: they usually detect their prey by the tiny rustling sounds small rodents make as they move around.
Their feathers are very soft, so the owl makes no sound as it flies.
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