English:  Northern Hawk Owl, Hawk Owl

Russian: Ястребиная сова

Mongolian: Харсуун бэгбаатар, Харсуун ууль  

German: Sperbereule  

French: Chouette eperviere
Japanese: オナガフクロウ (Onaga-fukuro)

Body length: 35-43 cm
Wing span: 69-82 cm

Mainly resident in boreal forests, often in upper tree zone on mountain slopes (mixed conifers and birch), preferring vicinity of bog, meadow or clearfell. Fluctuating in numbers, some years locally fairly common. In some autumns considerable numbers move south. About five records in Britain in 20th century. Partly diurnal. Food voles (main prey, taken on ground after watch from treetop) and birds (e.g. thrushes; capable of catching prey as large as Willow Grouse). Nests in tree-holes (‘chimney’ or vertical) or abandoned raptor’s nest. Caution: Can fiercely attack intruders when young leave nest; do not go near, and keep your eyes fixed on the parents while in sight of young just out of a nest!

Identification: Medium-sized with distinctive proportions: very long tail and rather narrow, bluntly pointed wings, thus recalling a hawk more than other owls, this enhanced by direct, agile flight with short series of wingbeats relieved by brief glides. Perches in treetops, also fearlessly exposed in bare dead spruces. Head rather large and often flat-crowned (alert, alarmed). Upperparts dark brown with pale hind-neck and scapulars, latter forming prominent V on perched bird in rear view (‘braces’). Underparts whitish and finely cross-barred except on upper breast, which is pure white. Face whitish, strongly outlined black, expression ‘stern’. Eyes yellow. Nape has a pale and dark pattern (‘false face’, defence purpose), and side of head has a black patch. Juvenile: Similar to adult but a little greyer and duller, with dusky eye-surround and diffusely patterned throad and upper breast.