Owls are unmistakable with their distinctive face and large eyes. There are nine different species of owl in Germany, which we will briefly introduce to you.

In a nutshell

  • nine native owl species in Germany
  • Owl is biggest owl
  • Pygmy owl smallest species of owl
  • Tawny owl and long-eared owl most common owl species
  • Short-eared owl particularly rare

Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus)

The rare Tawny Owl lives in the coniferous forests of the mountains and almost always moves into a black woodpecker hole to breed. In summer and winter, he also deposits surplus prey as a reserve in such caves.

  • Body length: 24 to 26 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 53 to 62 centimeters
  • Appearance: Square-looking, stocky head with an open face, yellow eyes, brown, mottled plumage with light underparts/wings
  • Breeding season: March to September
  • Clutches: up to twice a year, up to six eggs
  • Call: singing, slightly rising series of tones ("hu-hu-hu-hu-hu-hu")

Barn owl (Tyto alba)

The barn owl is a well-known native species of owl, after all it is a typical successor to the culture and prefers to breed in attics and church towers as well as in barns and stables. Here the preferred prey - mice - is particularly numerous.

  • Body length: 33 to 35 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 85 to 93 centimeters
  • Appearance: White heart-shaped face, white underparts, very light underwings
  • Breeding season: March to December
  • Clutches: up to three times a year, up to 12 eggs

Tip: Special nesting boxes make it easier for the barn owl to find a suitable breeding ground.

Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum)

The smallest native owl species is often active at the beginning of dusk. It prefers to hunt songbirds, but also likes to hunt mice during the breeding season. The pygmy owl lives in coniferous and mixed forests, mostly in the mountains, where it often breeds in abandoned woodpecker holes.

  • Body length: 16 to 19 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 34 to 38 centimeters
  • Appearance: Roundish head with dotted white plumage and yellow eyes, short tail, narrow dotted chest
  • Breeding season: April to August
  • Clutches: once a year, up to seven eggs
  • Call: "tu-du-du-du-du"

little owl (Athene noctua)

This native owl species usually stays true to its breeding territory for a lifetime: the little owl lives in open landscapes with rows of trees, sometimes also within towns. It prefers to breed in old pollarded willows and fruit trees. The offspring, too, settle when they fledge at the age of two to three months and leave the parental territory, often just a few kilometers from their place of origin.

  • Body length: 21 to 23 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 54 to 58 centimeters
  • Appearance: broad face, white speckled skull, long neck, short tail, yellow eyes
  • Breeding season: March to August
  • Clutches: once a year, up to five eggs
  • Call: "uuuh" calls in a loose series

Tip: The feathered young animals look very similar to their parents, but their heads are still dark.

Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)

In contrast to other nocturnal owl species, the short-eared owl is not only active at dusk, but also during the day. Similar to a harrier, it patrols the ground in a shambling search flight and, with a quick turn, pounces on discovered mice.

  • Body length: 34 to 42 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 95 to 110 centimeters
  • Appearance: small, barely visible feather ears, yellow eyes, high-contrast upper wings, lower wing tips banded
  • Breeding season: March to August
  • Clutches: once a year, up to ten eggs
  • Call: Slightly increasing series of dull "bu-bu-bu-bu-bu"

Notice: This native species of owl lives in moist, open landscapes, such as bogs and wet meadows. Here the female scratches a nest well hidden between tufts of grass.

Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)

As the largest native owl species, the eagle owl can defeat prey up to the size of hares and herons. A large tree often serves as a breeding ground, but also a sheltered rock wall niche.

  • Body length: 60 to 75 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 160 to 188 centimeters
  • Appearance: Strong, raptor-like build, heavily spotted chest, narrow feathered ears, orange eyes
  • Breeding season: February to July
  • Clutches: once a year, up to four eggs
  • Call: dull and deep "u-oh"

Notice: In Europe, the eagle owl was almost or even completely extinct. However, protective measures such as guarding the eyrie caused the numbers to increase again.

Tawny owl (Strix aluco)

Characteristic of the tawny owl are the long, howling calls of the male, which can be heard especially in spring and autumn. The tawny owl breeds in large tree cavities and is therefore mainly found in forests and parks with old trees.

  • Body length: 37 to 42 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 90 to 104 centimeters
  • Appearance: large head with white stripes, dark eyes, wide and rounded wings, short tail
  • Breeding season: February to August
  • Clutches: once a year, up to five eggs

Notice: Don't be surprised if you find seemingly abandoned hatchlings in trees or even perched on the ground: leave them where they are! The so-called fledglings with their bright, banded plumage are still cared for by their parents.

Long-eared owl (Asio otus)

The common long-eared owl often breeds at the edges of forests, in copses and groups of trees. The great owl with the characteristic large feathered ears mainly uses the nests of crows and birds of prey.

  • Body length: 35 to 40 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 90 to 100 centimeters
  • Appearance: large, mostly erect feathered ears, orange eyes, low-contrast upper and lower wings
  • Breeding season: March to August
  • Clutch: once a year, up to eight eggs
  • Call: muffled "huh" calls

Notice: In winter, several long-eared owls often gather at day roosts in coniferous trees, under which one can find the vomited remains of mice that have been eaten as pellets.

Scops Owl (Otus scops)

The little scops owl is well camouflaged in tree branches thanks to its bark-colored plumage. This native species of owl is therefore very rarely seen, especially since their populations in this country have shrunk considerably. It breeds in tree cavities as well as walls.

  • Body length: 18 to 20 centimeters
  • Wingspan: 49 to 54 centimeters
  • Appearance: bark-colored plumage with white shoulder band, longitudinally dashed underside, characteristic feather ears
  • Breeding season: April to August
  • Clutches: once a year, up to five eggs
  • Calls: sad-sounding, monotonous singing (“duh-duh-duh”)

Notice: In contrast to other owls, the scops owl does not overwinter in Germany, but south of the Sahara in Africa.

frequently asked Questions

Which owl species are particularly common in Germany?

With an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 breeding pairs, the most common native owl species is the tawny owl. There are also numerous breeding pairs of long-eared owls, which can also often be observed in parks, allotments and cemeteries.

Are owls protected?

According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, all native owl species are strictly protected species, and many of the owls listed here are on the Red List. This applies to the very rare short-eared owl, of which there are fewer than 100 breeding pairs throughout Germany.

Can you keep owls as pets?

At least since Harry Potter, not only children want an owl as a pet. In principle, it is actually possible to keep an owl in Germany, provided that you provide the appropriate proof of expertise and only animals from a breeder - in no case from nature! - takes. However, owls cannot be tamed and remain wild for life.

Category:

Animals in the garden