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TAWNY OWL
(Strix Aluco)

There are two basic colour types of Tawny Owls, one being rich chestnut-brown, the other having greys instead of deep browns. Intermediate birds are variously tawny-buff, buff-brown or greyish-brown in colouration.

The Tawny Owl measures 41 - 43.5cm. They have a wingspan of 91 - 95cm.

Tawny Owls are distributed throughout Europe and North Africa, eastwards to Iran and Western Serbia. In Europe the Tawny is the commonest and most widespread owl, being absent only in Ireland.

The habitat of the Tawny Owl consists of broad-leaved woodland and forests, open parklands and occasionally they inhabit coniferous forests.

They hunt almost entirely at night. After detecting its prey, the animal glides down or drops on to it and at the moment of impact extends its wings to cover the victim; which is usually killed immediately by the powerful claws.

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