Tawny Owl #1

My own image of a Tawny Owl in a hole in a tree, image processed in Photoshop to give a painting effect.... more

by Chris Thaxter

Title

Tawny Owl #1

Artist

Chris Thaxter

Medium

Photograph

Description

My own image of a Tawny Owl in a hole in a tree, image processed in Photoshop to give a painting effect.
The Tawny Owl or Brown Owl (Strix aluco) is a stocky, medium-sized owl commonly found in woodlands across much of Eurasia. Its underparts are pale with dark streaks, and the upperparts are either brown or grey. Several of the eleven recognised subspecies have both variants. The nest is typically in a tree hole where it can protect its eggs and young against potential predators. This owl is non-migratory and highly territorial. Many young birds starve if they cannot find a vacant territory once parental care ceases.
This nocturnal bird of prey hunts mainly rodents, usually by dropping from a perch to seize its prey, which it swallows whole; in more urban areas its diet includes a higher proportion of birds. Vision and hearing adaptations and silent flight aid its night hunting.
The Tawny is capable of catching smaller owls.

Uploaded

January 26th, 2013