The Tawny Owl
Strix aluco



The Tawny Owl is the most common and widespread of the European Strigidae family.
It has a large round head and big black eyes which distinguish it from most of the other Strigidae. Its facial discs are a grey brown. The upper parts and breast vary from brown to greyish, with vertical streaks and slight horizontal wavy marks. The underparts are rufous brown with dark streaks.
The Tawny Owl’s larger size and darker colour distinguish it from the Barn Owl.
A resident nocturnal bird, the Tawny Owl inhabits mixed coniferous and deciduous woodlands.
It does not build a nest but uses all kinds of cavities in trees and dilapidated buildings and often even occupies the burrows of badgers and rabbits.