Here’s a full natural history profile of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), a powerful forest owl of Eurasia:

**Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)**

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae (True owls)
Genus: Strix
Species: S. uralensis

General Description

A large, pale, and long-tailed owl, the Ural owl is a close relative of the tawny owl (Strix aluco) but larger, with a more elongated body and tail.

Size:
- Length: 50–62 cm
- Wingspan: 110–134 cm
Weight:
- Males: 500–730 g
- Females: 730–1,300 g (females noticeably larger).
Plumage: Pale grey-brown with streaking, but coloration varies regionally (from whitish to darker morphs).
Facial Disc: Round, pale, with dark concentric streaking; no ear tufts.
Tail: Long and wedge-shaped, giving a hawk-like silhouette in flight.
Eyes: Dark brown, contrasting with pale face.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Activity: Strictly nocturnal, though may hunt in dim light at dusk and dawn.
Territoriality: Strongly territorial, especially in breeding season; females aggressively defend nests, sometimes attacking humans that approach too closely.
Vocalizations:
- Male’s call: A deep, far-carrying hooting “hoo-hoo-hooo”.
- Also produces harsh alarm calls, wails, and chattering sounds.
Diet: Carnivorous, mainly small mammals (voles, mice, shrews, squirrels, hares), occasionally birds, amphibians, and insects.
Hunting Strategy: Hunts from perches, gliding silently to snatch prey with powerful talons.

Reproduction

Breeding Season: Late winter to early spring (March–April).
Nesting Sites: Tree cavities, old raptor nests, artificial nest boxes, or cliff ledges.
Clutch Size: 2–6 eggs.
Incubation: ~28–30 days, by female only.
Fledging: Chicks leave the nest at 4–5 weeks but remain dependent on parents for 2–3 months.
Breeding Success: Closely tied to rodent population cycles.

Habitat

Prefers mature mixed or coniferous forests with dense canopy and open glades for hunting.
Found in boreal, montane, and temperate forests, often near wetlands or forest edges.

Geographic Range

Distributed widely across northern and central Eurasia, including:
- Scandinavia, Baltic states, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Siberia, northern Mongolia, Korea, and Japan.
In Europe, its range extends south into the Alps, Carpathians, and Balkans.

Ecological Role

Rodent Control: Plays a crucial role in regulating vole and mouse populations.
Predator Influence: Competes with and may displace other owls (e.g., tawny owl) in overlapping habitats.
Indicator Species: Presence signals healthy, old-growth forest ecosystems.

Special Adaptations

Silent Flight: Modified wing feathers reduce sound, enabling stealth hunting.
Exceptional Hearing: Detects prey under snow or vegetation.
Long Tail: Provides greater maneuverability in dense forest than most other large owls.
Aggressive Nest Defense: One of the few owl species known to regularly attack humans who approach nests.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (stable, widespread).
Threats:
- Habitat loss from deforestation and logging of old-growth forests.
- Secondary poisoning from rodenticides.
Conservation Measures:
- Nest box programs have boosted local populations.
- Protected in most European countries.

Interesting Facts

Sometimes called the “phantom of the forest” due to its silent flight and pale, ghostly appearance.
Can live up to 20–25 years in the wild.
In Finland and Sweden, Ural owls often outcompete tawny owls, pushing them into urban habitats.
Local folklore in parts of Europe portrays it as an omen of death or misfortune, while in others, it is revered as a forest guardian.