Ringing Tawny and Barn Owls

While out checking owl boxes last weekend we found one box with a pair of tawny owls and another box with a pair of barn owls. We were able to ring all four birds.

Rufous (L) and Grey (R) Tawny Owls 

 

From their size, both adult tawny owls appeared to be males, which can be up to 20% smaller than females.

The pair showed examples of the colour variation seen in this species. In the UK rufous coloured birds are twice as common as the greyer ones.



  

Male Barn Owl

Female Barn Owl

The barn owls were an adult male and female pair.

The smaller male has pure white feathers underneath.The larger female has dark speckling on the white of its underparts, just visible in the photo. 

The wing feathers are also much darker on the female.