Frost, Tawny Owl
Latin Name
Strix aluco
Family
Strigidae
LIFE SPAN
Wild: Tawny owls have a typical lifespan of approximately four years in the wild. However, individuals that survive the risks of their early years can live considerably longer. The British Trust for Ornithology records a maximum age of 23 years, five months and 27 days for a ringed tawny owl.
Captivity: Tawny owls can live for more than 27 years when provided with suitable accommodation, nutrition and veterinary care.
Body size
Tawny owls are stocky, medium-sized owls with broad, rounded wings, large heads and no visible ear tufts. Females are generally larger and heavier than males.
- Weight: Approximately 350–590g (12.3–20.8 oz).
- Height/body length: Approximately 37–39cm (14.6–15.4 in).
- Wingspan: Approximately 94–104cm (37–41 in).
Their plumage can vary from reddish-brown to grey-brown, with darker streaks that provide effective camouflage against tree bark.
Native habitat
Tawny owls are native to much of Europe and parts of western and central Asia. Their range extends from Great Britain and the Iberian Peninsula eastwards towards western Siberia, with populations also found in Turkey, Iran and parts of Central Asia.
They are widespread across mainland Britain but are naturally absent from Ireland and many offshore islands. Tawny owls are reluctant to cross large bodies of water and usually remain within the same territory throughout their lives.
Tawny owls are primarily woodland birds and favour habitats containing mature trees with natural cavities. They can be found in:
- Deciduous and mixed woodland
- Mature conifer plantations
- Farmland with established hedgerows and trees
- Urban parks
- Cemeteries
- Large, wooded gardens
- Suburban areas with mature trees
They usually nest inside hollow trees but may also use old crow or pigeon nests, squirrel dreys, forks in tree trunks and purpose-built nest boxes.
Diet
Tawny owls are carnivorous and adaptable hunters. Their diet consists predominantly of small mammals, particularly:
- Wood mice
- Bank voles
- Field voles
- Shrews
- Young rabbits
- Moles
They may also eat small birds, bats, frogs, fish, beetles, earthworms and other invertebrates. In urban areas, birds can form a larger proportion of their diet.
Tawny owls hunt primarily between dusk and dawn. They usually watch and listen from a favourite perch before gliding silently towards prey on the ground. Their soft flight feathers help reduce noise, while their sensitive directional hearing allows them to locate prey in darkness.
Smaller prey may be swallowed whole. Fur, feathers and bones that cannot be digested are later regurgitated as compact pellets.
Get to know Frost
Frost is, quite simply, absolutely adorable. Cuddly, gentle and wonderfully laid-back, he prefers a slow start to the day and is rarely interested in doing any work before 2pm. Until then, he is more likely to gaze sleepily at the team as though they are rather strange for being awake so early! Frost takes part in afternoon flying displays and experience days. His exceptionally calm and gentle nature also makes him a wonderful companion for our community and care home visits, where residents love meeting and interacting with him.
Fun Fact!
Tawny owls are responsible for the classic owl call commonly written as “twit-twoo”. However, the complete phrase is normally produced by two owls communicating with one another rather than by one bird.
The female usually makes the sharp “keewik” or “twit” contact call, while the male responds with the deeper, wavering “twoo” hoot. Heard together, the two calls create the familiar “twit-twoo” sound.