Scientific name: Strix aluco Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Owls
Field characters. 38 cm. Medium sized owl with large round head without ear tufts and with dark eyes. Greyish or reddish brown with black streaks on upperparts, some white spots on wings and white mantle lines; underparts lighter with many blackish streaks. Facial disc brown. In flight distinguished from Long-eared Owl by shorter and broader wings and by large head. Hunts from look-out, not on the wing as Long-eared Owl. Nocturnal.
Voice. Song of male a long quavering 'hooooo, hoo-hoo-hoooooo'. Also a sharp 'kewik' and a sound of a squeaking door.
Distribution. Common resident.
Habitat. Old deciduous forest, open woodland, parks.
Food. Birds, rodents, amphibians, and insects.