{"id":170,"date":"2025-09-13T09:17:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T09:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildpix.eu\/?p=170"},"modified":"2025-09-13T09:17:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T09:17:06","slug":"ural-owl-strix-uralensis-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildpix.karits.eu\/index.php\/2025\/09\/13\/ural-owl-strix-uralensis-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Ural owl (Strix uralensis)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ural Owl (Strix uralensis<\/em>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Ural Owl<\/strong> is a large, powerful owl found in the forests of northern and eastern Europe and Asia. Known for its impressive size, silent flight, and haunting calls, it is a true symbol of old-growth woodlands. Unlike some owls, it is partly diurnal and can sometimes be seen during the day, especially in northern latitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\udd89 Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Length<\/strong>: 50\u201360 cm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wingspan<\/strong>: 110\u2013134 cm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Weight<\/strong>:\n
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    • Males: 500\u2013850 g<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Females: 700\u20131,300 g (females larger)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Appearance<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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      • Plumage<\/strong>: Pale grey to brownish-grey with fine streaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Facial disc<\/strong>: Round, pale grey with darker framing; no ear tufts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Eyes<\/strong>: Dark brown to black (unlike many owls which have yellow or orange eyes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Beak<\/strong>: Yellow<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Tail<\/strong>: Long and rounded \u2014 one of the longest-tailed owls in Europe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        The Ural Owl\u2019s size and long tail help distinguish it from similar owls like the Tawny Owl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        \ud83c\udf3f Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        • Prefers:\n
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          • Mature deciduous and mixed forests<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Coniferous forests with open areas nearby<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Often associated with old-growth woodlands<\/strong> that provide large trees for nesting and open spaces for hunting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Found in:\n
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            • Boreal forests<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Mountainous forests<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Lowland forests with wetlands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Carnivorous<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              • Feeds mainly on:\n
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                • Small mammals<\/strong> (voles, mice, shrews)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Occasionally birds<\/strong>, frogs<\/strong>, insects<\/strong>, and amphibians<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • May take larger prey such as squirrels, weasels, or young hares<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Hunts mostly at night, but can also hunt at dawn, dusk, and even during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                  \ud83d\udd01 Behavior & Life Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Breeding<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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                  • Breeding season: March to May<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Nests in:\n
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                    • Natural tree cavities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Old woodpecker holes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Broken tree trunks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Sometimes large nest boxes or abandoned raptor nests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Clutch size: 2\u20134 eggs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Incubation: ~27\u201335 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Chicks fledge after 5\u20136 weeks but may remain dependent for months<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      Behavior<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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                      • Mostly sedentary<\/strong> (non-migratory)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Extremely territorial during breeding season; known for aggressive nest defense, even attacking humans who approach too closely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Silent flight allows it to surprise prey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        Vocalizations<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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                        • The typical call: deep, resonant, rhythmic hoots \u2014 \u201cwhoo-whoo-whoo\u201d<\/em> \u2014 often heard during breeding season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Pairs may duet; juveniles produce high-pitched begging calls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                          \ud83c\udf0d Distribution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                          • Europe<\/strong>: Scandinavia, Baltics, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Central Europe (locally)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Asia<\/strong>: Russia (widely), Siberia, Central Asia, parts of East Asia (including Japan)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                            In many areas, it is associated with wilderness and intact forest ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                            \ud83e\uddec Interesting Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                            • One of the most aggressive owls<\/strong> during the nesting period \u2014 researchers often wear helmets when approaching nests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Despite its size, it can fly almost silently thanks to specialized feathers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Its long tail helps it maneuver through dense forests while hunting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • In folklore, its haunting calls are often associated with mystery and wilderness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                              \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Conservation Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                              • IUCN Red List<\/strong>: Least Concern<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Still widespread, but vulnerable to:\n
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                                • Deforestation<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Loss of old-growth forest<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Habitat fragmentation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                  Protected in many parts of its range; conservation efforts focus on preserving large, undisturbed forests and maintaining nesting sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                                  The Ural Owl (Strix uralensis<\/em>)<\/strong> is a true guardian of the northern forests \u2014 a large, powerful, and beautiful predator that thrives in mature, undisturbed woodlands. Its presence is a sign of healthy, intact forest ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n