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!

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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.

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Statistics

Length: 37-39cm
Wingspan: 99cm
Weight: 420-520g
Average lifespan: 4 years

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Conservation status

Classified in the UK as Amber 

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(click to enlarge images)