Ural Owl

How to recognise it

• Pale greyish brown, paler than Tawny Owl, round head and fairly flat facial disc
• Small black eyes and an orange-yellow bill
• Whitish underparts with narrow brown streaks and a wedge-shaped, evenly barred tail
• The sexes look alike, but the female is slightly larger and on average much heavier

Call and song

The male's song is a deep, rhythmic hooting of seven syllables. The female's song is similar but hoarser and slightly higher. The contact and alarm calls are harsh and nasal and sound like a barking dog.

Where and when

The Ural Owl is a resident in Sweden and occurs from northern Västmanland to Lule lappmark, most numerous from Uppland to Medelpad. North of the Arctic Circle it is very rare. It is reported most in February and March and rarely reported in August and September. Its share of all bird reports is highest in Uppsala, Västmanland and Dalarna.

Food and behaviour

The female defends the territory while the male brings food for the family. It is very aggressive when the young leave the nest and may attack people nearby. With young in the warm season, it is often active at midday. Its flight recalls a Common Buzzard, with deeper, more relaxed wingbeats.