The Ural owl (Strix uralensis) is a formidable, large, and surprisingly aggressive nocturnal raptor. While it bears a resemblance to its smaller cousin, the Tawny owl, it is a much more powerful predator of the vast taiga and mountain forests.
1. Physical Profile
The Ural owl is characterized by its “gentle” facial expression, which belies a fiercely territorial nature.
- Size: It is a large owl, significantly bigger than a Tawny owl but smaller than a Great Grey owl.
- Length: 50–62 cm.
- Wingspan: 125–135 cm (nearly 4.5 feet).
- Plumage: Generally pale grey-brown with heavy vertical dark streaking. Unlike the Tawny owl, it lacks the two pale “V” stripes on its head.
- Distinctive Features: * Tail: Exceptionally long and wedge-shaped, often appearing slung downward in flight.
- Eyes: Small, almond-shaped, and jet black, set into a pale, circular facial disc.
- Bill: Bright yellow, providing a sharp contrast to its pale face.
2. Behavior: The “Tiger of the Woods”
The Ural owl is legendary among ornithologists for its lack of fear.
- Fierce Defense: During the breeding season, females are notoriously aggressive. They will dive-bomb any intruder—including humans, bears, or larger raptors—aiming their talons specifically at the head and eyes. They can strike at speeds of up to 40 km/h.
- Activity: Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, though they are frequently active during the day in the northern parts of their range during the 24-hour daylight of summer.
- Diet: A dietary generalist but a vole specialist. When vole populations crash, they shift to hunting birds (up to the size of a Black Grouse), hares, and amphibians.
3. Habitat & Distribution
- Range: A classic Palearctic species, ranging from Scandinavia through Russia to Japan. There are also isolated relict populations in the Carpathian and Balkan mountains of Central Europe.
- Preferred Woods: They favor mature but not overly dense forests (coniferous or deciduous) near open clearings or bogs where they can hunt.
- Nesting: They are “lazy” nesters. They rarely build their own nests, preferring large tree cavities, broken-off stumps (the “chimney” nest), or the abandoned stick nests of hawks. They have adapted exceptionally well to large man-made nest boxes.
4. Comparison: Ural vs. Tawny Owl
It is common to confuse these two, but several key markers set them apart:
| Feature | Ural Owl (S. uralensis) | Tawny Owl (S. aluco) |
| Size | Large (50–60+ cm) | Medium (37–46 cm) |
| Tail | Long, wedge-shaped | Short, rounded |
| Face | Large, very pale, “clean” disc | Darker, more cluttered disc |
| Voice | Deep, rhythmic wuhu… hu-wuhu | The classic twit-twoo (kee-wick) |
| Aggression | Highly aggressive toward humans | Generally shy and retiring |
5. Conservation Status
- IUCN Status: Least Concern.
- Trend: Generally stable, though they are highly dependent on the availability of old-growth trees with large cavities.
- Keystone Species: Because they are top predators that compete with or prey on smaller owls (like the Boreal or Tawny owl), their presence dictates the entire structure of the local owl community.
Fun Fact: The Ural owl can rotate its head up to 270 degrees, a necessary adaptation since its eyes are fixed in their sockets. To prevent fainting during this extreme rotation, they have specialized “blood reservoirs” at the base of the brain.
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