Habitat:
mature coniferous and mixed forests

Activity period :
Mainly active at night, generally discreet during the day.

Identification and description:
The Ural owl (Strix uralensis) is a large nocturnal raptor (50–60 cm in body length with a wingspan of 110–125 cm), featuring soft tawny-grey plumage and a pale facial disc outlined in dark concentric rings. Distributed across mature coniferous and mixed forests of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, it primarily preys on small mammals such as rodents and shrews, supplemented by birds and insects. It nests in old tree cavities or occasionally occupies abandoned corvid nests. Territorial year-round, it utters deep resonant hoots during the breeding season to attract mates and defend its territory. Secretive and vigilant, it often perches motionless high in the canopy to scan for prey.

Recommended lens:
600 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
To photograph the Ural owl, position yourself in a concealed hide at the forest edge during twilight. Use a telephoto lens of ≥600 mm mounted on a sturdy tripod or gimbal for stability. Set aperture to f/4–f/5.6 and ISO to 800–1600 depending on ambient light. Choose a shutter speed of at least 1/250 s to freeze wing beats. Remain patient and silent, and shoot in RAW to capture maximum detail in low-light conditions.