What kind of owl is this?

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If it is an eagle owl as seems to be the prevailing opinion...

"It mainly feeds on small mammals, but can kill prey up to the size of foxes and young deer (up to 10 kg/22 lb), if taken by surprise. Larger prey (over 3 kg/7 lb) is consumed on the ground which leaves the bird vulnerable (for example to foxes). It is said to be routinely able to swallow a hedgehog whole."

*gulp*
 
Gixer said:
Ahleckz it has the wrong head and beak shape to be a short eared owl.
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I disagree, I think it's just that the feathers aren't fully developed that is adding to the confusion. It's not 100% a short eared, but I think the beak is the same as to pictures I've been looking at. It's not a long eared owl, for sure. An eagle owl, you'd expect to have dark feathers under its eyes surely? Perhaps I'm getting hung up about the rarity of eagle owls and letting that blind me.

stulid said:
looks like - http://www.owl-pictures.com/barred_owl.html
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Don't get them in the UK, and it would be rare that if there was one in captivity and had escaped that it would be so young/in such a state.
 
Or the massive great eagle type shaped beak!!

Maybe you could keep it and put it on top of your christmas tree once you put it up :D
 
simulatorman said:
It’s quite something. What sanctuary did you call, will they come to get it?
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I'm not sure of the name, my dad took a Kestrel there a few years ago, they're quite good. My dad had a chat with them and they've suggested taking it to them if it doesn't show any signs of improving.
 
Ahleckz said:
My first guess would be a screech owl, though I don't think you get them in the UK iirc. Similar to a barred owl, but again not sure you get them in the UK either.

Where do you live?

It's quite hard to tell, as many owls look quite similar and that one is evidently quite young and thus won't have formed the distinctive feathering of some species. It's not a snowy owl, that's for sure ;).

Edit -
Probably a horned/eagle owl thinking about it, how big is it? Actually, more that I think about it... It isn't likely to be an eagle owl as there are so few. You really ought to phone the RSPB straight away though.
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screech owl was a name given to the tawny owl wasnt it?


isnt it the man eating owl?
 
I think it's the barn owl that has the nickname of the screech owl due to the fact it doesnt hoot it just makes a screeching type noise.

Twany owls hoot or make another noise that I cant describe but it isnt a screech.
 
I'm still sticking with Eagle owl :p The plumage / markings aren't the same on the short eared and neither is the head shape. Compare the first pic posted of the owl found to those ones you linked.
 
I see an Eagle Owl occasionally when I'm out walking the dog in the early hours, it's quite eerie watching something so bloody big flap around completely silently, it doesn't seem too scared of humans either as it will perch on a lamp-post and let me walk right under it without flying off. I didn't think they were that rare in the UK as I've seen quite a few of them over the years, but I do walk my dog at silly hours when no-one else is about to see them I guess :D
 
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