Medium sized owl with no ear tufts and dark eyes and a stocky appearance. Generally chestnut-brown above with darker mottling and distinctive white or cream spots on upper wing coverts. Below paler with darker streaks and barring. It is the owl of fairy tales, whose tu-whit, tu-whoo of the night.

Mostly deciduous or mixed woods, but also in mature coniferous forests. It will also occupy old trees in hedgerows, copses, parkland and in city squares and churchyards.

Britain and continental Eurasia. The tawny owl is the most common and widespread owl in Europe and perhaps the commonest raptor in Britain.