Tawny owl - description, habitat, interesting facts

Bearded owl is rightfully considered to be one of the most beautiful birds living in the expanses of our homeland. The birds are gray in color, with many inclusions of various shades. If you meet her in nature, you can decently marvel at the beauty of the represented individual. Thanks to their plumage, these birds perfectly mask themselves, literally merging with the environment. This breed has received its name because of the dark spots located in the lower part of the beak. A whitish collar is seen in the neck, and a small beard is seen at the bottom.

Features and Description

1. Individuals of this group belong to nocturnal inhabitants, who are awake and hunt in the dark. The plumage is thick and protruding, the bird is very fluffy. If we compare the external data and the main characteristics, these individuals are quite powerful and impressive.
2. By their dimensional features, owls are rather large than medium. Their weight is 900 grams. average. Along the length of the birds grow up to 50 cm, in all respects inferior to the congenial owl.
3. In general, all external data are characteristic of the owl family. But the ears of feathers on the head are missing, which distinguishes these individuals from the rest. The head seems to be sloping, big. There are no cute features in their appearance, the birds look rather frightening.
4. The beak is high, squeezed from the side parts. Plumage structure loose and sticking to the side. Individuals are reddish or grayish in color. All plumage is covered with specks of brown shade.
5. When a bird moves through its territory at night, it is guided by its locators. Under them are understood skin folds, representing the auricles on the front. They are hidden under thick plumage, but they perform their function well. Owls for a great distance hear the approaching threat.
6. The hearing aid, located on the left side, is smaller than the right section. Typically, this phenomenon is characteristic of the entire owl family. However, in this species, this aspect is expressed so well that even the skull is deformed. As for the shade of the eyes, they are brown, muffled.

Lifestyle

1. These birds are widely distributed in European countries. They are also met in Asia, on the northern side of Africa, in the United States of America. Owls are not rare, but prefer to stay away from humans. Also in the expanses of our country there are these representatives of the family.
2. Tawls, common in Siberia and the Urals, have a predominantly grayish plumage. If the birds live in the south or north of the mainland, they are reddish in color with a light brownish tone. Those birds that live in the Caucasus are pigmented with coffee and brown tones with black patches.
3. These birds are interesting in terms of behavior, they are very brave, for their family or a couple they will even tear apart a strong predator. Choose half for life, monogamous by nature. When sent to the choice of place of residence, guided by the presence of edges and glades. From these places the best overview and, as a result, the ability to catch prey.
4. By way of life, these birds are similar to other inhabitants of the owl family. They actively spend time at night, they prepare in advance for attacks, gain strength.When the sun is at sunset, the birds begin to make bold and bloodthirsty attacks.
5. Thanks to the wide wings, the flight is very quiet, there are no air shakes. The prey does not have time to understand what's the matter, how it immediately becomes eaten. A distinctive feature of these birds is considered to be silence, they speak little and practically do not overlap. This can only happen at night while hunting.
6. Birds are sedentary in their characteristics. They can leave the heated place, migrating to other regions for the winter period. But this is extremely rare. However, experienced specialists have not established what exactly influences such behavior.
7. Birds are always alert, especially in the daytime. They are ready for dangers. If, in their opinion, the threat is approaching, then the individuals immediately squeeze the plumage and become literally invisible among the trees. They can either rush to the attack, or leave the place without any noise.
8. Considered representatives of their own species can stand up for themselves. If one of the strangers approaches the owl's nest, then it will be very cruel to defend itself. Moreover, such birds are not afraid even of bears.Therefore, it is better for especially curious and predators to bypass the nests of these owls.
9. Protecting their own chicks, owls leave deep scars and even turn out their eyes to offenders. Even during clashes and serious fights with hawks, the individuals in question are always winners. It should be noted that tawns try to keep their own territory, they also respect the borders of other relatives.
10. As soon as the uninvited guest comes into their own territory, these birds begin to actively chase him. At the same time, tawny loudly and indignantly begin to shout. Also, birds exhibit threatening behavior. Owls without any fear attack dogs, foxes, cats and people. It is worth noting that they ignore the provocations of annoying ravens.

Nutrition

1. The considered individuals in ancient Russia were called insatiable creatures, hence the name owls. It is worth noting that tawny, though nocturnal predators, they are not trying to attack large prey.
2. Tawny owls at night visit in deaf forest thickets. They glide silently between trees in search of various small rodents.Often the victims are shrews and vole mice. Often, owls attack from ambush gape victims.
3. Literally in a fraction of seconds, a tawny dog ​​catches up with its victim. During the hunt, the individuals in question rely not only on vision, but also on excellent hearing. In most cases, an owl attacks the victim with accuracy at a distance of up to 6 m.
4. The represented individuals often settle near people who have agricultural land. As a result, owls make life easier for farmers when small rodents are caught. Such birds often attack small birds that are active at night.
5. Often, such owls cause a lot of problems to trappers. The problem is that talons steal skins of small animals and sables. Birds simply take prey from traps. Rogues do not have time to come for a trophy. In addition, owls feed on amphibians, invertebrates and various reptiles.

Breeding

1. Often the nests of the individuals in question are located in the hollows of forest trees. Most often, the dwellings are located on felled edges, not far from moss bogs and under the roof of abandoned houses.Often, such owls lay eggs to other birds.
2. When the birds hatch the clutch, the young appear after 5 weeks. After 1 month, the chicks are on the wing and leave the parent home. They become completely independent after another 3-4 months.

Considered individuals have a unique character. Parents always fiercely protect their offspring and nest. Therefore, it is not worth going alone in the night forests, and even more so to look for dwelling owls. At best, you will come back with deep abrasions.

Video: Bearded Tawny (Strix nebulosa)