Owls - The European owls I.

Owls - part I.

Since discovering a small owl in my garden many years ago, I have been a great friend of any kind of owls, but I am especially attracted to the little and tawny owls.

Unfortunately, my little screech owls have disappeared from the area after some trees in my neighbourhood had to be felled - it's a pity, for many years they have been at home here.

Of the ca. 150 species of owls found in the world, 13 different species live in Europe, from the snowy tundra of the north to the hot, dry cultivated landscapes of the south.

Following is a brief description of these fascinating animals.

The order of owls consists of two families:

The common barn owls

Description: 35 cm in size. High-legged, pale owl. Upper part golden brown, underpart white to creamy yellow, without markings or with dark spots, depending on the species. The underwings are very light. Heart-shaped, noticeable large facial disc. Small black eyes.
Behaviour: exclusively nocturnal. Flies silently and is highly manoeuvrable. Likes to bathe, which can become a disaster in rain barrels.
Distribution: Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, North and South America.

... and the real owls. 12 types are part of the real owls, namely:

The Tawny owl is midsize (about 38 cm), powerfully built and stocky. It has a round head. Colouring is streaked, varying from brown to grey, the under part is lighter. Large dark eyes are framed by prominent facial disc.
He is a twilight and nocturnally active owl with a mid-day break. The Tawny Owl flies powerfully and manoeuvrable rowing, but it's flight can also be silent gliding. Also On the ground he moves manoeuvrable and hopping. During the day it rests in trusted hideouts in its territory and also likes to sunbathe ore takes a sand baths. - Tawny Owls are distributed in Europe, Southeast Asia.

Tawny owl (photo: Hortig) - Little Owl (photo: Hans-Dieter Brandl)

The Little owl is 22 cm in size, with a short tail, flat head and large, yellow eyes. The upper part of the plumage is dark brown with a lot of white spots. The underpart has light and dark stripes, but the facial disc is not very striking. Also this one is active in the twilight, but moves around both in daytime and at night, with powerful, jerky strokes. Its wave flight is similar to that of the woodpecker, but when excited, it makes bobbing movements. Little owls are found in Europe, Asia and northern Africa.

The Great grey owl is just under 70 cm in size with grey plumage and fine circular marking of the facial disc, white sickle between eyes and beak, black beard and small eyes. It is active in twilight. Usually it flies with slow movements just above the ground. Has little fear of humans. The female defends the nest aggressively, flying precise attacks. The Great grey owl is at home in northern Europe, Asia, North America.

Great grey owl (photo: Pekka Helo) - Ural owl (photo: Helmuth Partsch)

The Ural owl, 61 cm in size, looks like an oversized tawny owl with a longer tail. The plumage is light in colour; the upper part is dark with distinct stripes. Around his dark, small eyes it has a large facial disc. The Ural Owl is active nocturnally and in the twilight, also active diurnally especially during the breeding season. It is not very shy. The female defends the nest and brood by attacking when disturbed. They are spread in Europe and Asia.

The Boreal owl is only 25 cm in size and has extraordinarily soft plumage.The upper part is brown, with small, light spots. Forehead and facial disc are delicately spotted and the underpart is pale with faint stripes. Its short claws that almost disappear in the lower belly plumage. The bright yellow eyes are midsize,
The Boreal owl is nocturnal its movements are smooth, steady, quick and silent. It sleeps, fluffed up, in the tops of trees where it is protected. Likes to take long baths and is drinking while bathing. It lives in Europe, Asia and North America.

Boreal owl (photo: Pekka Helo) - Snowy owl (photo: Dietmar Nill)

The Snowy owl is with 55-66 cm a very large, almost white owl with a large, round head. You recognize the female on its dark spots. The claws are covered with strong, dense feathers down to the toes. Almost hidden under feathers you see the bill under its large yellow eyes. Snowy owls are active in the twilight and diurnally; they can also hunt at night. Their flight is steady with slow, large wing stroke.

Owls II.