The owls of the Czech Republic are among the most mysterious and admired birds of our forests, parks and farmland. These night hunters find their way in the dark perfectly thanks to their extraordinarily sensitive hearing and flexible necks – and they often live just a few hundred metres from us. Learn to recognise the six most common owl species and try our interactive identification quiz for the whole family.
Identification quiz: Owls of the Czech Republic
Test how well you know our owls – from basic identification to fascinating facts about their biology. Choose a difficulty and off you go!
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Visit AMADEAA guide to six owl species in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is home to a rich owl population. Thanks to the variety of its landscape – from the spruce forests of the Šumava to the river floodplains of South Moravia – species with very different needs find a home here. If you enjoy nature and like to be reminded of it at home, take a look at our wooden magnets with nature motifs or wooden bookmarks – lovely small gifts for every animal lover.
Tawny owl – Strix aluco
The tawny owl is without doubt the most common and widespread owl in the Czech Republic. It lives in broadleaf and mixed forests from low-lying valleys up to mountain areas around 1,200 m above sea level – you can meet it, for example, in the Křivoklát region, the Brdy hills or the château parks of Central Bohemia. It grows 37–43 cm long with a wingspan of up to 105 cm. It comes in two colour forms: brown (the most common) and grey.
The tawny owl is strictly nocturnal. It hunts rodents, birds, frogs and invertebrates and can strike prey in almost total darkness thanks to its exceptional hearing. It defends its territory all year round, and pairs usually stay together for life. It typically nests in tree hollows or an old nest box.
The tawny owl's hooting – the male's deep “hoooo” and the female's sharp “kee-wick” – is the characteristic sound of Czech nights from late autumn to spring. The forests of the Šumava and the Třeboň region hide some of the densest populations in the country.
Long-eared owl – Asio otus
The long-eared owl is a slim, medium-sized owl with prominent long ear tufts – which are not real ears, just tufts of feathers used for communication and camouflage. In the Czech Republic it is most often found at forest edges, in copses and small woods in the middle of farmland. It does not build its own nest but takes over abandoned nests of crows, magpies or buzzards.
Outside the breeding season, long-eared owls gather in communal winter roosts – in suitable places (parks, cemeteries, avenues) dozens of birds can be seen together. Such roosts are known, for example, in Brno, Prague and Olomouc. It feeds mainly on common voles, whose population cycles directly affect the owl's breeding success.
Barn owl – Tyto alba
The barn owl is one of the most beautiful and also one of the most endangered owls in the Czech Republic. Its characteristic white heart-shaped face immediately sets it apart from all other species. It lives in open farmland – meadows, pastures and fields – and nests in buildings: barns, church towers and the lofts of old farmsteads. Favourite refuges include old barns in the Elbe lowlands and the towers of South Bohemian churches.
The barn owl is seriously endangered in the Czech Republic – its population has declined as a result of intensive farming, the loss of old buildings with suitable nesting sites and harsh winters. Conservationists therefore install special nest boxes in church towers and granaries. This species hunts almost exclusively rodents and is therefore a valuable helper for farmers.
Eurasian eagle-owl – Bubo bubo
The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest owls in the world – females reach up to 75 cm in length with a wingspan of over 180 cm. In the Czech Republic it is rare and protected. It lives in rocky areas with gorges and quarries: the Moravian Karst, the Bohemian Paradise, the Jizera region, the Elbe Sandstones or the Šumava. It nests directly on rock ledges, in quarries or on the ground under an overhang.
The eagle-owl can hunt prey larger than itself – besides voles and hares, it does not even shy away from other birds of prey and owls. It is a night hunter with exceptionally powerful talons. Its deep, booming “oo-hoo” carrying through the night is unforgettable. The Czech population is estimated at a few hundred breeding pairs and is slowly growing thanks to protection.
Tengmalm's owl (boreal owl) – Aegolius funereus
Tengmalm's owl is a typical mountain owl of coniferous forests. In the Czech Republic it lives in the spruce forests of the Šumava, the Krkonoše, the Jeseníky and the Beskydy – usually above 600 m. It is small (24–26 cm long), round and noticeable for its striking white face with a densely spotted forehead. It nests only in tree holes – preferably in abandoned black woodpecker holes.
Tengmalm's owl is a night hunter focusing almost exclusively on small rodents, especially wood mice and bank voles. It hides its prey in larders – hollows full of frozen mice are not unusual. It calls from late February: a rapidly repeated “poo-poo-poo-poo” that can carry several kilometres through the Šumava night. The main threat is the loss of old forests with tree holes.
Little owl – Athene noctua
The little owl is the smallest owl you can see in daylight in the Czech Republic. It lives in open farmland, orchards, avenues, cemeteries and on the edges of villages – it is truly a “village owl”. It depends on old orchards or hollow trees near pastures. In the past it was common, but today it is an endangered species and its numbers in the Czech Republic are falling.
The little owl is active during the day as well, so you can spot it sunbathing on a fence or post at midday. It moves in a characteristic way – bobbing its head and bowing as it watches its surroundings. It hunts small rodents, but also larger insects, earthworms and small birds. The last stable populations are in Central Bohemia and South Moravia.
The most common mix-ups when identifying owls
At night owls can seem alike – correct identification requires attention to details of colouring, head shape and behaviour.
The tawny owl has a round head WITHOUT ear tufts and dark brown eyes. The long-eared owl has prominent tufts and orange eyes. The tawny owl sits more sturdily; when alarmed, the long-eared owl stretches into a slim column.
Tengmalm's owl is larger (24 cm), has a white face with a spotted forehead and yellow eyes. The pygmy owl (16 cm) is even smaller and has a “false face” on the back of its head – dark spots resembling eyes. Both live in mountain spruce forests.
The barn owl is the only one with a white heart-shaped face and pale underparts without bold streaks. Other Czech owls have a round facial disc and clearly streaked or spotted underparts.
Comparison table of six owl species
| Species | Length | Eyes | Ear tufts | Habitat | Protection in CZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tawny owl | 37–43 cm | Dark brown | No | Broadleaf forests, parks | Protected |
| Long-eared owl | 35–37 cm | Orange | Yes (long) | Forest edges, copses | Protected |
| Barn owl | 33–39 cm | Dark (black) | No | Villages, barns, churches | Specially protected – endangered |
| Eurasian eagle-owl | 60–75 cm | Orange | Yes (spread out) | Rocky forests, quarries | Specially protected – endangered |
| Tengmalm's owl | 24–26 cm | Yellow | No | Mountain spruce forests | Specially protected – endangered |
| Little owl | 21–23 cm | Yellow | No | Village landscape, orchards | Specially protected – endangered |
Frequently asked questions about owls in the Czech Republic
How many owl species live in the Czech Republic?
Around 11 owl species breed or regularly winter in the Czech Republic. The most widespread are the tawny owl, the long-eared owl and the barn owl. Less often you may come across the Eurasian eagle-owl, Tengmalm's owl, the little owl, the Eurasian pygmy owl or the short-eared owl.
How can I tell a tawny owl from a long-eared owl?
The tawny owl has no visible ear tufts and dark brown eyes – it looks sturdy. The long-eared owl has prominent upright ear tufts and orange eyes. When threatened, the long-eared owl stretches itself into a slim column, whereas the tawny owl puffs itself up and spreads its wings.
Are owls protected in the Czech Republic?
Yes, all owl species are protected in the Czech Republic, as are all wild birds under Czech and EU law. Several species, such as the barn owl, the eagle-owl and the little owl, are also listed as specially protected endangered species. Any disturbance, capture or killing of owls is punishable.
Where in the Czech Republic do I have the best chance of seeing owls?
You can hear the tawny owl in parks and broadleaf forests all over the country. The eagle-owl lives in rocky areas – the Moravian Karst, the Bohemian Paradise or the Šumava. Tengmalm's owl breeds in the spruce forests of the Krkonoše, the Šumava and the Jeseníky. The barn owl prefers farmland with villages. The little owl occurs in the Elbe lowlands and South Moravia.
Does AMADEA make wooden products with owl or nature motifs?
AMADEA offers handmade wooden decorations, magnets, bookmarks and standalone decorations with various nature motifs. They are original Czech gifts made from native timbers – ideal for every lover of nature and animals.
🌳 Looking for a gift made of natural wood? At AMADEA you will find handmade products from Czech forests – from decorations to kitchen accessories.
Visit AMADEAAuthor: Martin Portych – specialist in wooden products, gift advice and shop content
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