Tawny Owl
Scientific name: Strix aluco
Quick facts:
Common name: tawny owl
Scientific name: Strix aluco
Family: Strigidae (owls)
Habitat: woodland, occasionally parks and gardens
Diet: small mammals, birds
Predators: occasionally goshawks
Origin: native
Tawny owls are widespread across the UK and can often be seen in Burnham Beeches – in fact we have one of the largest densities of breeding owls per hectare of anywhere in Europe.
They are chestnut brown in colour and about the size of a woodpigeon. Their feathers have a soft furry edge allowing a soundless flight. Hunting mostly at night their diet includes small mammals and birds, frogs, insects and worms.
They are responsible for the classic ‘twit-twoo’: however, this sound is made by two owls, with the females calling ‘kew-wick’ and the males responding ‘hoo-hoo-hooo’.
