Tawny owl

The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is fairly widespread in Great Britain although it is absent from Ireland, the Outer Hebrides and the Northern Isles. It is also found in continental Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and western Asia.

Tawny owls inhabit coniferous and deciduous woodland and have adapted to living anywhere where there are large trees, including farmland, parks, gardens and churchyards.

Appearance

It has a large round head and rounded wings. The facial expression is less aggressive than that of many other owl species, probably helped by the dark eyes.

Behaviour and feeding

Tawny owls are nocturnal; they roost during the day and can be very difficult to spot up against tree trunks or hidden in ivy.

Food for tawny owls is mostly small mammals such as voles and mice, but they will also take small birds, insects and even fish.

Breeding

Breeding takes place from late February or March. Two or three eggs are laid in a hole in a tree (or a man-made nestbox). Incubation takes up to 30 days after which the male hunts for food while the female guards the young. After about 15 days both adults will hunt, with the owlets only leaving the nest after 25-30 days. They have not yet fledged, and will therefore stay close to the nest for another week or so until they are ready to fly. They will still be dependent on their parents to bring them food for another three months.

© John Welford