TWIT-SHOO
What is a tawny owl, what sound does it make, where is it found and why is it endangered?
Here's what you need to know about the tawny owl
THE tawny owl is one of just six species of owl in the UK - and there are fears the stocky bird could be endangered.
As researchers call on the British public to listen out for its call once a week, here's what you need to know about the tawny owl.
2
What is a tawny owl and where is it found?
A tawny owl or a brown owl is a stocky medium sized owl found in woodlands, forests, parks and gardens across the UK.
While the underparts of the owl are pale with dark streaks, the upperparts are either brown or grey.
, tawny owls are strictly nocturnal and are rarely seen during the day unless they've been disturbed.
Because they don't like flying over water they are also absent from islands in the UK such as Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.
Monogamous birds, the tawnies are famous for defending their young and bird ringers usually wear crash helmets with visors to protect themselves when ringing baby tawnies.
Tawnies are adapted for hunting in woodland, and their short, silent wings give them great manoeuvrability.
They favour small mammals as their prey, but small fish, lizards, bats and hawkmoths have been recorded in their diets.
According to the site, adult tawnies drive their youngsters out of their territories after the breeding season and as a result, nearly two-thirds of youngsters die in their first year.
2
What sound does it make?
The tawny owl has the classic twit-twoo hoot, often used in advertisements
The male's hoot is described as sweet while the females can be much harsher.
According to Living with Birds, it's easy to imitate a tawny owl by blowing through cupped hands and a study found that more than 90 per cent of male owls can be duped into responding.
Why is it endangered?
The British trust for Ornithology have asked the public to give 20 minutes each week to listen out for the twit-twoo call of the tawny owl over concern for its dwindling numbers.
The BTO has asked people to keep an ear out for the next six months in their garden, local park or woodland as part of the as it's feared light pollution and urbanisation are impacting the population.
The conservation status of the tawny owl recently changed from green to amber, signalling a growing concern for the species.
According to the , researchers say it is not essential that members of the public listen every single week and insist that all data will be useful - even in locations where an owl call cannot be heard as this indicates where the species is missing.
"You can even do it from the comfort of your bed. Anyone can take part, and the more people that do, the better picture scientists at BTO will have of our tawny owl," said BTO's Claire Boothby.
MOST READ IN NEWS
What other owls are native to the UK?
The tawny is one of six species of owl found in the UK.
The others are little owl, long-eared owl, barn owl and European eagle owl.
The status of the short-eared owl is also amber.
These birds unusually nest on the ground.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
bird
Topics