Tawny Owl
Tawny Owl
Tawny Owls are reasonably large, brown in colour with black eyes and lacking the ear tufts seen on some of our other owl species. During the daylight hours they tend to remain in cover up against a tree trunk and are occasionally pestered by scolding songbirds. During the winter nights the classic hooting calls can be heard, along with a 'keewik' call. Some observers get confused when they hear the range of calls made by a Tawny Owl and wrongly assume that there is more than one species of owl present.
Boxes need to be sited at least 2.5 metres above the ground. Owls need a clear flight path in and out of the box and in quiet, secluded spots. Nesting owls can be dangerous if approached. Tawny Owls nest in woodland and in well-wooded suburban gardens.
Tawny Owl young
Tawny Owl eggs
Nesting Information
- Large nest box with 150mm hole or an owl chimney.
- Height At least 2.5m above ground.
- No nest is made
- Egg-laying starts between early March and late May. 1 brood
- 2 to 5 eggs. White eggs.
- Incubation 28-30 days
- Nestlings fledge after 32-35 days.
More facts about this species
For more information about Tawny Owls, see the BTO’s BirdFacts and Wider Countryside Report.
