- Life expectancy
- Global status
- Activity
Identification
A powerful owl with yellow eyes, prominent ear tufts and a white throat patch. Broad, rounded wings and a compact body characterise its flight silhouette. The brown to grey base colour varies regionally.
Colours
Adult
Greyish-brown to brownish plumage with dark barring, a white throat patch and yellow eyes. The colouring varies markedly by region.
Behaviour
It becomes active especially at dusk and dawn. Pairs defend their territory with deep call series. When threatened, it also snaps its bill and hisses; by day it is sometimes given away by scolding crows or songbirds.
Breeding & rearing
It often takes over old nests of buzzards, crows or other birds. Tree holes, rock ledges and structures are also used. The young are at first covered in soft down and are still fed after leaving the nest.
