Tawny Owl, Identification, Habitat & Food

Identification
Length: 38cm.

The Tawny Owl is the most common medium-sized brown owl in Europe. It may be distinguished from the Barn Owl by its darker brown face, densely speckled mantle and dark under parts. It is distinguished from the Long and Short-eared Owls by the absence of ear-tufts and its black eyes, it is also larger and stouter. The wings appear more rounded and shorter in flight than those of other owls. The youngsters plumage is barred.
The have mainly nocturnal habits, and in the daytime may be seen roosting in trees.

Call
Its well-known note is a long wavering ‘hoot’. They also emit a sharp ‘ke-wick’.

Reproduction
Breeding usually starts from late March onwards. They nest in a hole in a tree, rarely in ground or in a crevice in rocks. They also use old nests of other birds, or a squirrel nest. They occasionally nest in nest boxes and on rocks or the ledges of buildings.
Two to four (sometimes one to seven) white eggs are laid. The female alone incubates the eggs for about twenty-eight to thirty days. The female tends the young while the male brings food, but after about twenty days they both hunt. The young leave the nest after about thirty-five days.

Habitat
The Tawny Owl likes open woodland (mainly deciduous) and parks. They are also present in large gardens and in urban areas.

Natural Food
Mainly small birds and rodents.

Where to Feed
Feeder – Not suitable
Table – Not suitable
Ground Feed – Scatter food in the open