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Tawny Owl Identification

The Tawny Owl is a common nocturnal bird of prey found in woodlands, parks and gardens. You will learn how to identify the Tawny Owl by its plumage, calls, hunting behaviour, diet, breeding habits and preferred habitats.
What I look like

What I look like

The Tawny Owl is **slightly larger than the Long-eared Owl**.

The Tawny Owl is slightly larger than the Long-eared Owl.

It has a **large round head without ear tufts**, a **facial disk** with two large **black eyes**, and a **hooked beak**.

It has a large round head without ear tufts, a facial disk with two large black eyes, and a hooked beak.

Its plumage is **heavily mottled** with shades of **brown, beige, and gray...**

Its plumage is heavily mottled with shades of brown, beige, and gray...

often providing perfect **camouflage**!

often providing perfect camouflage!

There are **variations** in its plumage...

There are variations in its plumage...

it can be more **reddish-brown**...

it can be more reddish-brown...

or **gray-brown**.

or gray-brown.

Discover also : Long-eared Owl Identification
Want to learn to recognize birds quickly by their shapes and morphology? The Ornitho Mnemolia course guides you step by step. Start the course
My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The Tawny Owl can be heard **in autumn and spring**, when males **mark their territory**.

The Tawny Owl can be heard in autumn and spring, when males mark their territory.

Its call is a **hoot** that sounds **trembling**: first a **short "hoûu"** followed by a **silence** then a **trembling "ou-hoû-ou"**.

Its call is a hoot that sounds trembling: first a short "hoûu" followed by a silence then a trembling "ou-hoû-ou".

Son chant lui a donné son autre nom de **"chat-huant"**

Son chant lui a donné son autre nom de "chat-huant"

The **female** emits a **shrill "kou-witt"** call.

The female emits a shrill "kou-witt" call.

Discover also : Long-eared Owl Identification
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The Ornitho Mnemolia course trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The Tawny Owl is a nocturnal raptor that **hunts by ambush**.

The Tawny Owl is a nocturnal raptor that hunts by ambush.

It is mostly active **at night, starting at dusk**.

It is mostly active at night, starting at dusk.

It primarily uses its **highly developed hearing** to locate its prey.

It primarily uses its highly developed hearing to locate its prey.

During the day, it **dozes** at the entrance of a **tree hole**.

During the day, it dozes at the entrance of a tree hole.

Discover also : Long-eared Owl Identification
Reading a bird's behavior changes everything in the field. The course shows you the key attitudes to recognize. Start the course
How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The breeding season of the Tawny Owl extends from **February to August**.

The breeding season of the Tawny Owl extends from February to August.

It produces **1 brood per year** of 3 to 6 white eggs.

It produces 1 brood per year of 3 to 6 white eggs.

It nests in large cavities of **old deciduous trees**, in **buildings and nest boxes**.

It nests in large cavities of old deciduous trees, in buildings and nest boxes.

Its nest is often **lined with various materials**: wood, sand, hay, wool...

Its nest is often lined with various materials: wood, sand, hay, wool...

Discover also : Long-eared Owl Identification
Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

The Tawny Owl eats **rodents, bats...**

The Tawny Owl eats rodents, bats...

but also **fish, frogs, birds...**

but also fish, frogs, birds...

It swallows its **prey whole**.

It swallows its prey whole.

Like other raptors, it regurgitates **pellets** containing the **indigestible parts** of its prey (bones, fur, feathers...).

Like other raptors, it regurgitates pellets containing the indigestible parts of its prey (bones, fur, feathers...).

Discover also : Long-eared Owl Identification
To find birds more easily, you need to know their feeding habits. The course teaches you where to look and why. Start the course
Where to find me

Where to find me

The Tawny Owl lives in **open forests** with **large trees**, close to **groves and clearings**.

The Tawny Owl lives in open forests with large trees, close to groves and clearings.

It is often found in **cemeteries, parks, and gardens**.

It is often found in cemeteries, parks, and gardens.

It is a **sedentary species**.

It is a sedentary species.

Discover also : Long-eared Owl Identification
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Tawny Owl is recognized by its night activity, territorial call, varied diet and nesting in large cavities. It is mostly sedentary and lives near wooded areas.