Common name: Tawny Owl
Scientific name: Strix aluco
Family: Strigidae

Size:
Body length: 37–43 cm
Wingspan: 81–105 cm
Weight: 350–700 g

Identification:
A medium-sized woodland owl with a rounded head and no ear tufts. The plumage varies from grey-brown to rich reddish-brown, heavily patterned with darker streaks and barring that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark. The face is rounded with dark eyes and a pale facial disc. Its broad wings and compact body give it a powerful appearance.

Habitat:
Forests, wooded valleys, orchards, old parks, and mountainous woodland habitats.

Status in Lebanon:
Native resident. Found in forested and wooded mountainous regions across suitable habitats.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on rodents, small birds, amphibians, insects, and other small vertebrates.

Behavior:
Strictly nocturnal and highly territorial. Usually remains hidden during the day within dense trees or cavities. Hunts silently from perches using exceptional hearing and low-light vision. Known for its haunting territorial calls, especially during the breeding season.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)