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Tawny Owl
Strix aluco |
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| As of February 2005. | |||||
| Description | Medium sized owl with no ear tufts and dark eyes and a stocky appearance. Variable colouration with grey (gray), brown and rufous morphs with intermediates. Generally grey-brown (gray-brown) above with darker mottling and distinctive white or cream spots on upper wing coverts. Below paler with darker streaks and barring. Noticeable pale short “eyebrows”, and dark crown bordered with white. | ||||
| Size | 36-46cm, 380-660g | ||||
| Range | Europe from Britain and Portugal and NW Africa to W Siberia and Caspian Sea, Asia Minor and parts of the Middle East, Turkistan across to E China. | ||||
| Habitat | Semi-open mixed and deciduous woodland, parks, gardens. | ||||
| Food | Wide variety of prey including small mammals, frogs, birds, insects, earthworms and even fish. | ||||
| Breeding | January-July, nests in tree cavities, old bird nests or squirrel dreys, or holes in cliffs and buildings. 2-9 eggs incubated for 29 days. Young leave the nest at about 4 weeks old, and can fly within 3 weeks but remain with parents for another 2-3 months. | ||||
| Call | A fluting drawn out “hoo uk hoooooooh”, also a sharp keewick. | ||||
| Status | Not globally threatened. Locally very common, and very adaptable. | ||||
| Comments | None at this time. | ||||
| Races | The last four races described may each be a distinct species pending further studies. | ||||
| S.a.aluco | N & C Europe from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and Black Sea | ||||
| S.a.mauritanica | NW Africa from Morocco to Tunisia and Mauritania | ||||
| S.a.sylvatica | W Europe including Britain | ||||
| S.a.siberiae | C Russia from Urals to W Siberia | ||||
| S.a.sanctinicolai | W Iran, NE Iraq | ||||
| S.a.wilkonskii | Palestine to N Iran and Caucasus | ||||
| S.a.harmsi | Turkmenyia | ||||
| S.a.bidulphi | NW India and Pakistan | ||||
| S.a.nivicola | Nepal to SE China, south to N Myanmar and Thailand | ||||
| S.a.yamadae | Taiwan | ||||
| S.a.ma | NE China & Korea | ||||
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Registered Charity Number: 1055489 Limited Company Number: 5296745 |
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The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and
legacies.
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