Ural Owl

Class: Birds

Order: Strigiformes

Family: Strigidae

Weight: 120-190 g

Height: 21-27 cm

Body length: 20.5 cm

Color: brown with white spots

Age of sexual maturity: 2-4 months

Gestation period: 25-30 days

Lifespan: 4 years

Habitat: The habitat of the Ural Owl is quite extensive. In Eurasia, these birds inhabit vast territories from Scandinavia to Kamchatka, Andyr, and Sakhalin. They are also found in Primorye and along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Towards the north, their habitat extends to places where the woody vegetation ends. In central Russia, they nest in the Kaluga, Tula, and Ryazan regions, as well as in Tyumen and the Urals.

Diet: rodents, voles, small squirrels, insects, frogs

Did You Know?

• Adult individuals differ greatly in coloration from young birds. Chicks that have just left the nest lack the pattern of spots and speckles on their bodies and heads. Over time, the coloration of chicks changes, developing into a beautiful individual pattern on their bodies, wings, and heads.
• During an attack, the Ural Owl closes its eyes. The bird does this instinctively to prevent the prey from injuring its eyes if it defends itself.
• Ural Owls are very social and trusting birds that are not afraid of humans.