Ural Owls autumn 2009

During autumn 2009 we caught a few Ural Owls (Strix uralensis) in Hanko Bird Observatory. For our surprise, we also got one adult bird in addition to around five 1st cy birds. Adult Ural Owls tend to be very territorial and they don't move much from their territory. Anyway, it was a nice opportunity to see different age classes.

First picture shows the pattern of primary coverts of a 1st cy bird. The ground colour of PCs is quite brown. The difference is seen easily when compared to greater coverts. The rounded shape of light spots in PCs is also typical of juvenile.


Ural Owl, 1st cy, Hanko October 2009.

Primary coverts of adult bird are darker. Barring is clearly blacker than in juvenile feathers. The shape of light spots in PCs differs from juvenile. The spots are more right-angled than a typical rounded shape of juvenile PCs.


Ural Owl, adult, Hanko October 2009.

Usually adult birds show also some unmoulted secondaries. This bird left S4 (counted inwards) unmoulted and it clearly contrasts to other moulted secondaries. This unmoulted secondary is an adult-type feather which confirms that this bird is older than 2nd cy. A 2nd cy bird should have showed a juvenile type feather if unmoulted. Juvenile type secondaries are thinner in shape and the tips of the feathers are more pointed.


Ural Owl, adult (same as previous), Hanko October 2009.