Here’s a complete and detailed overview of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) — one of Europe and northern Asia’s most majestic and powerful forest owls.

🦉 Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Strigiformes
• Family: Strigidae
• Genus: Strix
• Species: S. uralensis

Common names:
Ural Owl, Ural Wood Owl, Great Grey Wood Owl (not to be confused with Strix nebulosa).

General Description

The Ural Owl is a large, long-tailed, round-headed owl without ear tufts. It’s known for its serene facial expression, soft grey plumage, and deep, hooting call echoing through boreal forests.

• Length: 50–62 cm
• Wingspan: 110–134 cm
• Weight:
  • Males: 500–730 g
  • Females: 720–1300 g (larger and heavier)
• Plumage:
  • Pale grey or brownish-grey with fine dark streaks.
  • Broad round face with concentric feather rings and dark eyes.
  • Underparts lighter, streaked vertically.
  • Tail long and rounded — a key distinction from other Strix owls.

Distribution

The Ural Owl has a wide Palearctic range, spanning northern and central Eurasia.

• Europe: From Scandinavia, Estonia, and Finland south to Austria, Poland, and the Balkans.
• Asia: Across Russia, Siberia, northern China, Korea, and Japan (Hokkaido).
• Isolated populations: In the Alps, Carpathians, and Balkan mountains.

Habitat

Prefers dense, old-growth mixed or coniferous forests, often near clearings, meadows, or bogs.

• Common in boreal (taiga) and montane forests.
• Nests in tree cavities, broken trunks, or large stick nests (often those of hawks or crows).
• Requires mature woodland with open hunting areas.

Behavior and Ecology

• Activity: Mostly nocturnal, but often active at dawn and dusk — and sometimes in daylight, especially during breeding.
• Territoriality: Very territorial; pairs defend territories year-round.
• Vocalization:
  • Deep, rhythmic hooting call: “Whoo-hoo-hoo, whoo-hoo” — slow and haunting.
  • Females have higher-pitched versions.
  • Calls carry over 2 km in still air.
• Flight: Silent and smooth, with broad, rounded wings.

Diet

A specialist predator of small mammals, particularly voles, but also a versatile hunter.

• Primary prey:
  • Voles (Microtus spp.), mice, and shrews.
• Secondary prey:
  • Small birds, frogs, and large insects.
• Hunting method:
  • Perch-hunting — the owl sits silently, scanning and listening for prey before swooping down.
  • Acute hearing allows detection of movement beneath snow or leaf litter.

Reproduction

• Breeding season: March–May (earlier in southern range).
• Nesting:
  • Uses natural cavities, broken tree tops, or old raptor nests.
  • Readily accepts nest boxes in managed forests.
• Clutch size: 2–6 eggs (usually 3–4).
• Incubation: ~28–33 days, by the female.
• Fledging: Young leave the nest at 3–4 weeks, but can’t fly for another 2–3 weeks — during which they climb branches near the nest and are fed by parents.
• Parental defense:
  • The Ural Owl is notoriously aggressive in defense of its nest and may attack intruders, including humans.

Lifespan

• Wild: Typically 10–20 years.
• Captivity: Up to 30 years.

Predators and Threats

• Natural predators: Rare — large eagles or martens may take young.
• Main threats:
  • Loss of mature forest habitat due to logging.
  • Decline in prey populations in harsh winters.
  • Vehicle collisions and nest disturbance.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: 🟩 Least Concern
• Population trend: Stable to increasing in parts of Europe due to reforestation and nest-box programs.
• In Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, populations are stable and well-monitored.

Subspecies

There are up to 15 subspecies, varying slightly in coloration and size.
Notable ones include:

• S. u. uralensis — Scandinavia to western Russia (pale grey).
• S. u. liturata — Siberia (darker plumage).
• S. u. nikolskii — Japan (darkest form).

Identification Summary

Interesting Facts

• The Ural Owl’s call is often used as a sound cue in European films to evoke mysterious or eerie forest scenes.
• Despite its size, it’s often hard to spot due to silent flight and camouflage plumage.
• In Estonia and Finland, it’s considered a symbol of healthy, old-growth forests.
• Nest boxes have significantly helped population recovery in managed forests across northern Europe.

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