Tawny Owl Strix aluco

The Tawny Owl is also known as the Brown Owl (although most owls are brown). It is common throughout Europe from Scandinavia to North Africa and through much of Asia.

It is nocturnal, hunting mainly rodents and mainly by excellent hearing. It is resident winter and summer and territorial.

Western European Tawnies are generally more tawny brown (UK subspecies above left and centre) and eastern Tawnies usually greyer (Central Asian subspecies above right).