Tawny Owl

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Bird 🦉
🦉
Strix aluco
Size37–39 cm Similar size to a Woodpigeon
Weight330–590 g About the weight of a large tin of soup
Lifespan4 years
RarityCommon
M vs FSexes look identical — females are slightly larger. The classic 'twit-twoo' call is actually a duet: the female calls 'ke-wick', the male responds 'hoooo'
HabitatDeciduous and mixed woodland, parks, churchyards, large gardens with mature trees
Best timeAutumn and winter (calling most actively October–February)
ConservationUK: Amber LC
Did you know?
The classic 'twit-twoo' of a Tawny Owl is actually two birds calling to each other — the female's contact call answered by the male's territorial hoot
More for experts
Tawnies have fixed eye sockets — they cannot move their eyes — so they can rotate their head 270° to compensate
Often confused with
Barn Owl (white, heart-shaped face), Little Owl (small, spotted, active by day)