Bird · GBIF taxon 2497509
Ural Owl
Strix uralensisAlso known as Ural Wood Owl
Gliding silently through dense Palearctic taiga, these large pale raptors hunt small mammals by acoustic tracking long before dawn. Female Ural owls defend their tree cavity nests with legendary ferocity, frequently diving to strike human intruders who venture too close to fledglings. Their deep rhythmic hooting carries far across snow covered woodlands during late winter pair bonding.
NocturnalForest DwellerRaptor
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Bank Vole
- Field Vole
- Wood Mouse
Predators
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl
- Golden Eagle
ThreatsDeforestation, removal of mature hollow trees, collision with vehicles
HabitatsBoreal forest, taiga, mixed mountain woodland
Life span15–22 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderStrigiformes
- FamilyStrigidae
- GenusStrix
- SpeciesStrix uralensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Fiercely defensive near nest sites; keep a wide distance to avoid talon strikes.
- Why it is dangerous
- Nesting pairs aggressively defend their territory, using razor-sharp talons to strike intruders near nest cavities.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by a pale facial disc, long tail, yellow bill, and heavily streaked greyish-white plumage.
- What to do
- Stay well away from tree hollows and downed fledglings during spring, and retreat immediately if an adult hoots defensively.
Responsible observation
- Dusk Observation: Scan open glades and forest edges at twilight when adults begin active hunting.
- Breeding Distance: Give nesting trees a wide berth in spring to avoid defensive dive-bombing attacks.
- Listening Cues: Listen for deep double-hooted calls during quiet winter nights to locate territories.
Predator Martin Mecnarowski (http://www.photomecan.eu/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Prey Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) caroline legg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fyn Kynd · cc-by-sa
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