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Raptor✓ Protected species

Tawny Owl / Owl

Strix aluco

✓What to do NOW

  1. 1Approach from behind — owls rotate their head 270° but have poor lateral vision
  2. 2Cover with a thick towel, then grasp both feet from below
  3. 3Place in a ventilated dark box — darkness calms nocturnal birds far more than diurnal ones
  4. 4Keep in a cool, quiet environment
  5. 5Contact CRAS with experience in nocturnal raptors

✗NEVER do this

  • ✗Do not make direct eye contact at close range — very stressful for the animal
  • ✗Do not keep in a bright container
  • ✗Do not try to feed it raw supermarket meat
  • ✗Do not keep at high temperature

⚠ Important note

The tawny owl is the most common owl in Italian forests; the eagle owl (Bubo bubo) is the largest in Europe. Many owls found on the ground during the day are simply stunned after a nocturnal collision and recover on their own in 2-4 hours in a dark, quiet place. If after 4 hours it is unable to fly, contact the CRAS.

⚖ Legal protection

All nocturnal raptors are protected by Law 157/1992 and the Birds Directive.

Also known as

tawny owleagle owllong-eared owlbarn owlscops owl

Did you find a tawny owl / owl right now?

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