The United Kingdom is home to many memorable and breathtaking creatures; from the sly Red Fox to the hefty European Badger, many mammals may come to mind when you think of biodiversity in the UK. But many bird species also call the U.K. home, and in some areas, populations are increasing as efforts to restore natural areas and provide homes for animals in the countryside take place
Five resident species of owl call the UK home – four native species, and one introduced species that’s taken root. Here, we’ll learn about all five, and what makes each bird unique.
1. Barn Owl
The barn owl (Tyto alba) is one of the world’s most recognizable species of birds, and the most widely distributed owl species, found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. They are mottled gray & brown overall, with a characteristic large white facial disk. While these birds are nocturnal through much of their range, like most owls, they also hunt during the daytime in Great Britain.
Despite popular belief, these owls do not hoot; instead, they produce a shrill shriek when calling. They prey on a variety of animals, in particular small mammals that are active at night, such as mice, rats, and voles. While some individuals have been recorded to live up to 25 years of age, most birds’ lifespan is only around 4 years. Barn owls are threatened by many forms of human interaction, such as habitat destruction, accidental poisonings, and loss of available prey.
2. Tawny Owl
The tawny owl (Strix aluco), also known as the brown owl, is a medium-sized owl found in woodlands across Europe, as well as western Siberia. The species mainly preys on rodents, but in heavily developed areas, they also take a high volume of smaller birds. These owls are non-migratory and highly territorial; when the young leave the nest, they may starve if they cannot find & claim their own territory.
Their retinas are no more developed than a human’s; instead of relying primarily on eyesight to hunt, they mainly rely on their directional hearing skills. Their ears are placed asymmetrically, which allows them to pinpoint where a sound is coming from with precision & efficiently track their prey. They frequently call during the night to protect their territory and ward off other owls.
3. Short-Eared Owl
The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a widespread owl, with various subspecies inhabiting parts of North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Their name comes from the short tufts that adorn this owl’s head; they are raised slightly when the owl is defensive, and may or may not be visible at other times.
They prefer open field & grassland habitats, where they hunt small prey including rodents, other small mammals and birds. Insects also supplement the diet, particularly large insects like roaches, beetles and grasshoppers. They are most often spotted by humans at dusk or dawn when hunting. During the breeding season, they produce a scratchy bark-like call; during winter, they are rarely vocal.
4. Long-Eared Owl
The long-eared owl (Asio otus) is similar to their short-eared cousin, but as their name implies, this owl has larger ear-like tufts adorning the top of their heads, mimicking mammalian ears (like other owls, their true ears are simple holes covered by feathers). While they prefer to nest in dense forest that offers them protection, they prefer to hunt in open areas like fields, so they typically dwell at the edge of woodlands to give them the benefits of both habitats.
Their diets are often varied, and may include mammals, birds, and even reptiles and fish; however, most members of this species prefer small mammals like voles as their ideal food source. While this owl is one of the most widespread & numerous in the world, sharp population declines have been reported in multiple portions of their range; they are primarily threatened by habitat destruction and loss along with pesticide poisonings.
5. Little Owl
The little owl (Athene noctua) is, as you might have guessed from their name, a small owl species. They are found in portions of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa; they have also been introduced by humans to Britain and New Zealand. These adaptable little birds thrive in a variety of habitats, ranging from farmland & woodland edges to semi-deserts. Their diet is equally diverse; they feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even large insects.
These birds are highly territorial, with the male typically remaining in the same territory for life; however, it’s not unusual for their territories to seasonally expand and contract (males seek the largest territory in the spring, when searching for a mate). Little owls can distinguish each other by the sound of their calls, and males will defend their territory more fiercely from ‘strange’ birds than from males who have claimed neighboring territories. While it’s believed the average lifespan for a little owl is only three years, they have been recorded to reach sixteen years of age.
Conclusion
While the UK may not sport the most diverse population of owls, the five resident species that call the UK home each have interesting behaviors and appearances, and should be admired by anyone who comes across them.
Want to attract more owls to your own property? There are steps you can take to increase your chances of an owl sighting right at home. Of course, it’s best to be looking at night, when owls are active!
Don’t put out pesticides or rodenticides, which can inadvertently kill owls. Instead, create brush piles where small rodents can thrive (away from your home!) and attract aerial predators like owls. Additionally, you can put up owl nesting boxes if your property lacks the tree hollows many owls prefer to nest in. If you allow nature to flourish in your yard, owls and more feathered friends are sure to arrive soon.
