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Tawny owl ©Margaret Holland
Tawny owl
Scientific name
Strix alucoWhen to see
January to DecemberSpecies information
Statistics
Length: 37-39cmWingspan: 99cm
Weight: 420-520g
Average lifespan: 4 years
Habitats
About
Tawny owls are our biggest common owl, familiar in Britain’s woodland, parks and gardens. The‘too-wit too-woo’ call often referred to as being the song of the generic owl, is that of the tawny owl. But it isn’t the call of a single bird, but instead made by a male and female calling to each other.The female makes a ‘too-wit’ sound and the male answers with ‘too-woo’! These incredible creatures sit on their favourite perch on the lookout for small animals like voles and mice to eat. They nest during springtime in hollow trees, or sometimes choose to reuse an old crow’s nest!How to identify
The tawny owl is mottled reddish-brown, with a paler underside. It has a big, round head, rounded wings, large, dark eyes, and a dark ring around its face.Distribution
Widespread, but absent from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.In our area
Tawny owl boxes have been placed at several Warwickshire woodlands, and in many cases pairs of owls have successfully raised chicks in recent years. Keep an eye out on your next evening walk!
Did you know?
Like other owls, tawny owl can famously turn their head through 270 degrees and are able to look behind them. Although owls have binocular vision, their forward-facing eyes cannot move in their sockets, so they must turn their heads instead.Watch
Tawny Owl (https://vimeo.com/453690105)
Tawny Owl by Tom Hibbert
Tawny owl boxes have been placed at several Warwickshire woodlands, and in many cases pairs of owls have successfully raised chicks in recent years. Keep an eye out on your next evening walk!
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Tawny owl chicks in Warwickshire
A pair of tawny owls nesting at a local woodland have successfully raised two chicks this year! In May the chicks were ringed, fitting them with a small and harmless metal band so their growth and movements can be tracked in the future.

Tawny owl chicks in Warwickshire
A pair of tawny owls nesting at a local woodland have successfully raised two chicks this year! In May the chicks were ringed, fitting them with a small and harmless metal band so their growth and movements can be tracked in the future.