Tawny Owl (European Tawny Owl)

A medium-sized, stocky owl with a large rounded head and no ear tufts. The feather reflects the bird's brownish-red or grey-buff plumage designed for forest concealment.

Mottled brown and tawny beige with dark fuscous transverse barring; typical cryptic 'bark' camouflage of the species

Mixed pennaceous and plumulaceous; features the characteristic 'velvet' or 'fringe' of soft pile on the surface for silent flight

Extremely soft and velvety to the touch; matte finish to prevent light reflection during nocturnal hunting

Soft velvety texture, alternating dark and light brown bands, and a thick downy base for thermo-insulation

Deciduous and mixed forests, parklands, and large gardens with mature trees for nesting cavities

Common resident throughout Europe and across into western Siberia and parts of North Africa

Apex nocturnal predator, primarily controlling populations of small rodents, birds, and amphibians

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) feathers are more orange-buff; Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) feathers are significantly larger with bolder barring

Tawny Owls are the source of the classic 'tu-whit tu-whoo' sound, which is actually a duet between a male and a female

Good condition, though shows some signs of natural separation in the barbs (fraying) suggestive of a molted feather

Hare arms