Ural owl – Stix Uralensis

The plumage of the Ural owl is mostly gray-brown with numerous dark streaks. It is larger than the nearby tawny owl and has a longer tail and striations. Moreover, it does not have the two light bands visible on the cap of the tawny owl. It is possible to be confused with the great gray owl, but Ural owl has a smaller head, more uniform brownish face, dark brown eyes and a series of regularly spaced stripes on its tail. Its brown legs are almost completely covered with feathers and beak is yellow. Despite its innocuous appearance, Ural owl can defend small with courage and aggressiveness.

Its length is 50 to 59 cm, weighing 630 to 1.020 g.

It usually nests in a broken tree trunk or a predatory bird nest abandoned and lays 2 to 6 eggs in March or April, with incubation carried by the female for 27 to 28 days. The young remain in the nest for about a month and they learn to fly when they are 5 to 6 weeks.

Its territory is located in coniferous and mixed forests almost everywhere in Finland, but more common in the southern and central regions. The breeding population is estimated at 2.500 to 4.000 pairs, they are sedentary and their favorite food are small mammals and birds.