Noctowl

Least Concern

Noctowl (Pokemon)

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About

Noctowl (Strix noctowlus) is a medium-sized, nocturnal owl species characterized by its distinctive facial disc, prominent ear tufts, and cryptic plumage. It is a highly adapted predator of small mammals and insects, known for its silent flight and keen senses. This species is widely distributed across various forested and semi-open habitats.

Size & lifespan

Length: 50-60 cm (19.7-23.6 in)
Wingspan: 110-130 cm (43.3-51.2 in)
Weight: 700-1200 g (1.5-2.6 lbs)
Lifespan: 10-15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity
Diet: Carnivore (primarily small mammals, large insects, and occasionally small birds or amphibians)

Physical characteristics

Plumage: Adults exhibit a mottled brown and grey plumage on the dorsal side, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark. The ventral side is paler, often buff or whitish, with prominent dark streaking. The facial disc is well-defined, typically a pale buff or whitish color, bordered by darker feathers, and features concentric rings around the eyes. Prominent, erectile ear tufts are a key characteristic, though they are not actual ears.
Beak shape: Short, sharply hooked, and dark grey to black.
Eye color: Large, forward-facing, and bright yellow to orange-yellow, providing excellent nocturnal vision.
Leg color: Feathered to the toes, which are dark grey with black talons.
Distinguishing features: Large, bright yellow eyes, prominent ear tufts, and a distinct facial disc with dark concentric rings. The overall cryptic brown and grey mottling is also characteristic.
Juvenile appearance: Juveniles have a downy, fluffier appearance, often paler and more uniformly buff or grey than adults, with less defined facial markings and shorter ear tufts. Their eyes are typically duller yellow.
Seasonal changes: No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round, optimized for camouflage.
Sexual dimorphism: Minimal. Females are typically slightly larger and heavier than males, but plumage differences are negligible.

How to identify

1
Size and Shape
Medium-sized, robust owl with a relatively large head and broad wings. Appears stocky when perched.
2
Ear Tufts
Look for prominent, erectile ear tufts on top of the head. These are a key distinguishing feature, though they can be flattened when the bird is relaxed.
3
Eyes
Bright yellow to orange-yellow, large, and forward-facing. Surrounded by dark concentric rings within the pale facial disc.
4
Plumage Pattern
Mottled brown and grey upperparts for camouflage, with a paler, streaked underside. The facial disc is pale with a dark border.
5
Vocalization
Listen for its characteristic deep, resonant 'hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo' hooting call, especially at night.
6
Habitat
Typically found in mature forests, woodlands, and forest edges, often near clearings.

Habitat & range

Biomes: Temperate forests, boreal forests, mixed woodlands, open woodlands, forest edges, and sometimes suburban areas with mature trees.
Geographic range: Widespread across North America, Europe, and Asia, extending from the northern taiga to more temperate regions. Specific subspecies may have more restricted ranges.
Elevation range: Sea level up to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), depending on geographic location and availability of suitable habitat.
Preferred environments: Mature forests with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, often near clearings or open areas for hunting. Requires old-growth trees for nesting and roosting cavities.

Behavior

Activity time: Strictly nocturnal, becoming active at dusk and hunting throughout the night until dawn. Roosts silently during the day in dense foliage or tree cavities.
Feeding habits: Primarily a nocturnal hunter, using its acute hearing and vision to locate prey. It typically hunts from a perch, swooping down silently to capture prey on the ground or in low vegetation. Diet consists mainly of voles, mice, shrews, and large insects like beetles and moths. Pellets containing indigestible material are regurgitated.
Social behavior: Generally solitary outside of the breeding season. Pairs form for breeding and maintain territories. Juveniles disperse from parental territories once independent.
Flight pattern: Silent, buoyant, and powerful flight with deep, deliberate wingbeats. Can glide for considerable distances. Its specialized feather structure allows for near-silent approach to prey.
Migration pattern: Mostly resident throughout its range, though northern populations may undertake short-distance, irruptive movements in response to prey scarcity. Not a long-distance migrant.
Territoriality: Highly territorial, especially during the breeding season. Males defend territories through vocalizations and occasional aggressive displays against intruders.

Song & calls

Song: The primary song is a deep, resonant 'hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo' series, often described as a four to five-note hoot, with the first note often slightly drawn out. It can be heard from a considerable distance, particularly during the breeding season.
Call: Various calls include a sharp 'kewick' alarm call, a 'wup-wup-wup' contact call between mates, and hissing or bill-snapping when threatened. Juveniles emit a begging 'psss-psss' call.
When they vocalize: Most vocal during the breeding season (late winter to early spring) and primarily at night, especially around dusk and dawn. Calls can also be heard sporadically throughout the night.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season: Typically late winter to early spring (February to April), depending on geographic location and climate.
Nesting habits: Does not build its own nest. Utilizes existing tree cavities, old raptor or corvid nests, or sometimes artificial nest boxes. Nests are often in large, mature trees in dense forest.
Clutch size: 2-5 eggs.
Egg description: 2-5 (typically 3-4) pure white, elliptical eggs, laid directly on the floor of the cavity or nest.
Incubation period: 28-32 days, primarily by the female.
Fledging period: Young fledge at 30-35 days, but remain dependent on parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Parental care: Both parents participate in raising the young. The female incubates and broods, while the male provides food. After hatching, both parents hunt to feed the rapidly growing owlets.

Where to find

Mature Forests

Look in dense, mature deciduous or coniferous forests, especially those with old-growth trees suitable for nesting cavities.

Woodland Edges

Often hunts along the edges of woodlands where forests meet open fields or clearings, providing access to prey.

Suburban Parks/Woodlots

Can occasionally be found in larger suburban parks or woodlots with sufficient tree cover and prey availability.

Field tips

Listen at Night. Noctowls are primarily nocturnal. The best way to locate them is by listening for their distinctive hooting calls after dusk or before dawn, particularly during the breeding season.
Look for Roosts. During the day, they roost silently in dense foliage, often close to the trunk of a large tree. Look for whitewash (droppings) or pellets on the ground beneath potential roosting sites.
Use a Spotlight (responsibly). If searching at night, a low-powered spotlight can help locate them by reflecting off their eyes (eyeshine). Always use this method responsibly, minimizing disturbance to the bird.
Check for Pellets. Owl pellets (regurgitated undigested prey remains) found at the base of trees can indicate an active roost or nesting site.

Similar species

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Noctowl is generally smaller and more slender than the Great Horned Owl. Great Horned Owls have more prominent, widely spaced ear tufts, a more heavily barred underside, and often a white throat patch. Their hooting call is typically a deeper, more rhythmic 'hoo-hoo-hooo-hooo-hoo'.

Long-eared Owl

Asio otus

Long-eared Owls are significantly smaller and much more slender than Noctowl, with very long, close-set ear tufts that are often held erect. Their facial disc is more elongated, and their plumage is finer-streaked. Their calls are typically softer hoots or cat-like 'meow' sounds.

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Short-eared Owls are medium-sized but lack prominent ear tufts (they have very small, often invisible ones). They are typically found in open grasslands and marshes, not dense forests, and are often active during the day (crepuscular). Their flight is more buoyant and moth-like.

Quick facts

Primary Activity:: Nocturnal
Key Feature:: Prominent ear tufts and bright yellow eyes
Diet:: Small mammals and large insects
Flight:: Silent and powerful
Nesting:: Tree cavities or old nests

Fun facts

Noctowl's ear tufts are not ears; they are feathers that can be raised or lowered, often used for camouflage or communication.
Its specialized feather structure allows for virtually silent flight, making it an incredibly effective nocturnal predator.
Noctowls have asymmetrical ear openings, which helps them pinpoint the exact location of prey in complete darkness.
They can turn their heads up to 270 degrees in either direction, compensating for their fixed eye position.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
Species: Strix noctowlus

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