Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), one of Europe’s largest forest owls:

**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, powerful, and long-tailed owl, closely related to the tawny owl but noticeably larger. Known for its haunting hoots and aggressive nest defense.

Size: 50–60 cm long.
Wingspan: 110–134 cm.
Weight: 600–1,300 g (females larger than males).
Plumage:
- Pale grey to brown overall, streaked with darker brown.
- Round, pale facial disc with fine concentric lines.
- Dark eyes (unlike the yellow eyes of many other large owls).
- Long tail with broad dark bars (a key feature).
Sexual Dimorphism: Minimal, though females are bulkier.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Activity: Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, though sometimes active by day in winter.
Hunting:
- Hunts from perches with swift, silent flights.
- Diet includes small mammals (voles, mice, shrews), birds, and occasionally frogs or insects.
Calls:
- Male’s song: deep, far-carrying “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” sequence.
- Pairs call antiphonally during courtship.
Territoriality: Highly protective of nest sites, especially during breeding—can dive at and strike intruders, including humans.

Reproduction

Breeding season: March–June.
Nesting:
- Uses tree cavities, broken trunks, or abandoned nests of raptors and black storks.
- Will also accept nest boxes in suitable habitat.
Clutch size: 2–6 eggs.
Incubation: ~27–34 days (by the female).
Chick rearing: Male provides food; young fledge after 30–35 days but depend on parents for up to 3 months.

Habitat

Prefers old-growth mixed and coniferous forests with open areas for hunting.
Especially associated with boreal and montane woodland landscapes.

Geographic Range

Widely distributed across Northern and Eastern Europe into Siberia, Korea, and Japan.
In Europe, strongholds are in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Poland, the Carpathians, the Balkans, and locally in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Ecological Role

Predator: Controls rodent populations, especially voles, which are cyclic in boreal forests.
Prey: Larger owls (eagle owls), martens, and goshawks may prey on fledglings.
Ecosystem indicator: Presence reflects healthy, mature forests.

Special Adaptations

Silent flight feathers for stealth hunting.
Large facial disc focuses sound, enhancing hearing in low-light conditions.
Aggressive defense behavior ensures high chick survival rates.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Population: Stable to increasing in many areas due to nest box programs and forest regeneration.
Threats:
- Loss of old-growth forests and nest sites due to logging.
- Persecution in some areas (though much reduced).

Interesting Facts

Nicknamed the “phantom of the forest” for its silent, ghostly appearance.
Known to be one of the most aggressive nest defenders of any European owl—comparable to goshawks.
Long tail and pale face make it one of the easiest large owls to identify in Europe.
In Finnish folklore, it was seen as a harbinger of both death and protection, reflecting its haunting presence.