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Gray owl
Gray owl
The most dusky of the owls, flying out to hunt only at night.
Type: Chordates
Class: Birds
Order: Owls
Family: Real owls
Genus: The Strix
Species: Tawny owl
General Settings
  • Habitat – Europe, Asia, North Africa.
  • Height-36-38 cm.
  • Weight – about 500 g.
  • The main food is mouse-like rodents, less often other small mammals and small birds.
  • Life expectancy is about 20 years.

In nature, there are 2 color forms of the common owl-gray and brown, and the color changes due to the geographical distribution of the species. In Europe the grey birds dominate, and here on the British Isles – red.


Social behavior


Birds live in separate permanent pairs, which are preserved for life. Adult owls actively defend their territory, especially during the breeding season. They can attack cats, dogs, foxes, and even humans.


Reproduction


There are usually 2-4 round white eggs in a clutch. The incubation period lasts about 30 days, dense incubation begins with the first egg, so the chicks in one nest are of different ages. Only the female incubates. 


Species and people


The common owl is not afraid of humans and can settle even in large urban parks. In cities, it is desirable, as it hunts mice and rats.


Interesting Facts


The large, round head of the common owl can rotate almost 270 degrees.

Current status in wildlife
  • Not
    evaluated
    NE
  • Data
    deficient
    DD
  • Data
    deficient
    lc
  • near
    threatened
    NT
  • vulnerable
    vu
  • endangered
    en
  • critically
    endangered
    cr
  • extinct
    in the wild
    ew
  • Extinct
    ex
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