Tawny Owl

The tawny owl, also called barn owl, is a medium-sized nocturnal bird of prey, ranging from 35 to 38 cm in length and weighing up to 600 grams. Its plumage is mottled reddish-yellow and gray, with lighter or whitish shades on the belly. It has black eyes and no ear tufts, while its face is characterized by facial discs that, in the resting position, assume a heart shape by rejoining under the beak.

This bird camouflages itself perfectly in its habitat thanks to plumage that resembles tree bark, although it nests both in natural environments such as forests and in man-made places such as old walls and church towers. It is a silent and agile predator, feeding mainly on small rodents, amphibians and insects. Protected by hunting laws, it plays an important role in the ecosystem as a regulator of micromammal populations.