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Tawny Owl (Brown Owl)
Contour feather (body or flank feather)

Tawny Owl (Brown Owl)

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Strix, Species: S. aluco

Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)

Shape
Symmetrical vane with a rounded tip, broad and soft outline typical of nocturnal raptors
Size
Approximately 3 to 4 inches long, consistent with a medium-sized body or flank contour feather of a Tawny Owl
Rarity
Common throughout its natural European and Eurasian range
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Description

A medium-sized, stocky nocturnal owl with a rounded head, dark eyes, and a heavily streaked and barred plumage providing supreme camouflage. Known for its haunting hoarse hooting calls, it is a sedentary ambush predator.

Colour & Pattern

Mottled brown, buff, and creamy-white barring and spotting characteristic of the tawny morph, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark

Barb Structure

Semiplumaceous to plumulaceous structure with loose, soft barbs lacking rigid interlocking barbules, creating a velvety and silent-flight texture with no afterfeather

Texture & Surface

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte with no gloss, designed to absorb sound rather than reflect it, preventing any aerodynamic noise during flight

Key Features

Soft velvety texture, lack of rigid interlocking barbs, and distinctive mottled brown-and-buff barring typical of nocturnal owl contour feathers

Habitat

Woodlands, mature deciduous and mixed forests, parks, and large gardens with mature trees for nesting cavities

Geographic Range

Widespread across temperate Eurasia, spanning from Western Europe and the UK eastward across Russia and parts of Central Asia

Ecological Role

Apex nocturnal avian predator controlling rodent and small mammal populations, serving as a key indicator of healthy woodland ecosystems

Similar Species

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), distinguished by finer streaking and different habitat preferences

Interesting Facts

Tawny owls have asymmetrical ear openings allowing them to pinpoint prey in complete darkness by sound alone. Their specialized comb-like serrations on flight feathers ensure silent flight.

Condition Notes

Good condition with intact barbs and no major fraying or parasitic damage observed

Tawny Owl (Brown Owl) | Feather Identifier