Learn About Owls

Learn about our owls and how you can help them

Use these resources to learn how to identify owls; find out more about their ecology, fascinating behaviour and how to build next boxes for them.

Read our latest articles on Owl vision and Owl hearing

Short-eared Owl

The short-eared owl is a ground-nesting species which breeds in open areas such as moorlands and grasslands. It has one of the widest distributions of any bird species, occurring in all continents except Australia and Antarctica.

Listen to a Short-eared Owl call

Long-eared Owl

The long-eared owl, also known as the northern long-eared owl, is a species of owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Listen to a Long-eared Owl call

Barn Owl

The Barn Owl has benefited from conservation efforts, in particular the provision of nest boxes, and its population has increased since the last national survey. There may now be as many as 10,000 pairs breeding across Britain & Ireland.

Listen to a Barn Owl call

Tawny Owl

The Tawny Owl is probably our most familiar species of owl, found in wooded habitats across Britain. The species is absent from Ireland, underlining its sedentary habits and reluctance to cross large bodies of water.

Listen to a Tawny Owl call

Little Owl

Although not native to Britain, the Little Owl can now be found breeding across England, some parts of Wales and just into southern Scotland. Not much bigger than a Song Thrush, the Little Owl feeds on large invertebrates, small mammals and small birds.