From Opus

Strix uralensis

Photo by Pasha
Photo taken: Novosibirsk, Russia.

[edit] Identification

Male 115 cm, female 125 cm. Pale, buff grey-brown plumage, dark brown streaking on back, back of the head and underparts, round head, plain buff-grey facial disc, orange-yellow bill and small black eyes, long wedge-shaped tail, dark barring on the uppertail, rounded wings. Sexes are similar, with no seasonal variation.

[edit] Distribution

From Japan and Korea in the east to Scandinavia in the west.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are up to 15 subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

Lowland moist open forests.

[edit] Behaviour

It nests in hollow tree trunks. 2-4 eggs are laid and incubated for 27-34 days. The young leave the nest after about four weeks, but will not fly until about six weeks old.

The diet includes rodents and medium-sized to large birds such as Jays and Willow Grouse, although normally only up to the size of a Woodpigeon.

[edit] External Links