Identifying Native Owls: Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl, and Eagle Owl

August 2, 2026

You hear owls more often than you see them. Their calls are among the most mysterious sounds of twilight. Here, you'll learn about the three most common native owls and how to distinguish them by size, appearance, and call.

The Tawny Owl: The Voice of the Forest

The Tawny Owl is our most common owl. It has a rounded head without ear tufts and large, dark eyes. Its drawn-out "hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo" is the classic owl call known from many films. At around 38 cm, it is about the size of a crow.

The Long-eared Owl: Slender with Ear Tufts

The Long-eared Owl appears more slender and has long ear tufts, which it raises when agitated. These "ears" are purely feather tufts and have nothing to do with hearing. Its eyes glow orangey-red. During the day, it often sits pressed tightly against a tree trunk and is hard to spot.

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl: The King of the Night

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is the largest native owl, up to 70 cm tall with an impressive wingspan. It also has ear tufts, but appears massive and powerful. Its orange eyes and deep "buho" call make it unmistakable.

Owl	Size	Characteristic	Call
Tawny Owl	approx. 38 cm	round head, no ear tufts	hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo
Long-eared Owl	approx. 35 cm	slender, long ear tufts	muffled hoo
Eurasian Eagle-Owl	up to 70 cm	very large, powerful, ear tufts	deep buho

Note: Ear tufts are not ears. The actual ear openings are located on the sides of the head, often even slightly offset, allowing the owl to precisely locate prey in the dark.

Owls to Observe and Identify

Because owls are nocturnal and secretive, they are rarely seen. As life-sized standees, their size and characteristics can be compared at leisure, whether in the classroom, on a nature trail, or in a nature exhibition.

Native Owls in Life Size