Fun Brown Hawk Owl Facts For Kids

Devangana Rathore
Oct 20, 2022 By Devangana Rathore
Originally Published on Sep 02, 2021
Edited by Katherine Cook
Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi
Brown hawk owl facts are definitely some of the most fun ones around.

The feathers of the northern hawk-owl are dark brown with a whitish spotting patterning on the dorsal portions of the medium-sized body. The northern hawk-owl has a long, brown-banded tail.

A smoky white face with a black circle, yellow eyes, a flattened head, and a yellow curved bill distinguish the northern hawk-owl. In look and behavior, the northern hawk-owl is considered to resemble a hawk.

They are also linked to human settlements, and they may even reproduce in urban areas with densely forested areas and towering trees.

In Southeast Asia, they can only find their habitat in primary lowland rainforests distant from human settlements. Hawk-owl northern birds are found across the boreal forest, but their distribution is uneven and changeable.

There are many other animals in the world that are very interesting and fun to read about. Some of them are the green peafowl and Kirtland's warbler, so do not forget to have a look!

Brown Hawk Owl Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a brown hawk owl?

The brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata) is a type of owl.

What class of animal does a brown hawk owl belong to?

Brown hawk owls belong to the order Strigiformes, family Strigidae, and class of birds (Aves).

How many brown hawk owls are there in the world?

The brown hawk-owl (Ninox scutulata) global population is not known. However, the general population trend of this species is thought to be declining. The distribution size of these owls is approximately 5,907,363 sq mi (15,300,000 sq km). However, partners in flight believe that there is a 200,000 breeding population of northern hawk owl globally.

Where does a brown hawk owl live?

Both the brown hawk-owl and northern hawk owl of North America live in forests. The brown hawk-owl sometimes referred to as the brown boobook is a resident bird in south Asia, with populations ranging from India, the Andaman Islands, Nepal, and Bangladesh, to western Indonesia and south China.

The northern hawk owl's range extends from Alaska to Canada in North America.

What is a brown hawk owl's habitat?

From the Middle East through to south China, the brown hawk-owl breeds is a permanent breeder in tropical south Asia. Its natural habitat is forested land and forest. They are located in forest, well-wooded land, and tree groves in the west of their range, especially near water and border forest rivers or watercourses, and mostly around human habitation.

Who do brown hawk owls live with?

They may establish flocks and roost alone, in pairs, or family groupings outside the mating season. A schizophrenia of hawk-owls is a communal term for a group of hawk-owls.

How long does a brown hawk owl live?

The average lifespan of these birds of prey that reside in forests is about 10 years.

How do they reproduce?

North India's breeding season is May to July, while Sumatra's is in March to April. During the breeding season, the brown hawk owl is extremely noisy and can call for hours at a time, particularly on moonlit nights. Males and females will sing irregular duets together, or numerous birds will respond to each other from various directions.

Large irregular excavations or hollow trees, 16.4-65.6 ft (5-20 m) above the ground are used as nesting places. The same pair of birds frequently use the same nest hole year after year. They've been seen nesting on the ground in rockeries and woodpiles, as well as in nest boxes.

At the base of the nest hole, eggs are placed in a coating of natural debris. Typically, a female produces three to five white eggs.

The eggs are incubated by the female alone, whereas the male brings food for her. The incubation period is 25 days or longer. 24-27 days following hatching, fledglings depart the nest hole and are nourished by both parents.

Beginning in early March, the northern hawk-owl begins its breeding rituals. The hawk-owl northern bird will construct a nest and begin to lay eggs when calling and coupling are complete.

The northern hawk-owl will deposit 3-11 eggs per clutch on average. The tops of hollowed stumps of dead old spruce trees are commonly used as nest locations. Hawk-owl northern nesting places are commonly 6.6–32.8 ft (2–10 m) above ground.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of brown hawk owls and the North American species of northern hawk owls is Least Concern according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

Brown Hawk Owl Fun Facts

What do brown hawk owls look like?

The brown hawk-owl is a medium-sized owl that is 13 in (33 cm) in length. Its long dark brown tail and absence of a prominent facial disc give it a hawk-like appearance. With a banded tail, the upper parts are dark brown. The underparts are white with reddish-brown streaks.

However, the subspecies occurring in the Andaman Islands possess dark brown underparts. The eyes are big, yellow, and surrounded by a thin dark border. Males and females are similar with moderate-length wings.

In North America, the look of a northern hawk in flight is sometimes mistaken for that of a Cooper's hawk.

How cute are they?

Owls are gorgeous, fascinating, interesting, ferocious, frightening, and cute creatures who also happen to be fierce predators, what's not to like about an adorable bird with super-sensitive senses!

How do they communicate?

The song is a deep, gentle, melodic 'ooo-uk...ooo-uk' that is audible at dark and daybreak. A pleasant, almost melodic song that is not very loud yet has a long range. Throughout its wide range, there is some variance.

How big is a brown hawk owl?

The length range of the brown hawk bird is about 13 in (33 cm). In contrast, the length range of a short-eared owl is between 13.4-16.7 in (34-42.4 cm). Therefore, brown hawk owls are smaller than the short-eared owl species.

How fast can a brown hawk owl fly?

These owls fly with a mix of gradual long drifts along with fast-paced wing beats, much like hawks, another type of bird of prey.

How much does a brown hawk owl weigh?

The weight range of a brown hawk owl is about 6-8 oz (170-226.7 g). The northern hawk bird located in Alaska in North America has a weight range between 11-12 oz (311-340.1 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female birds of northern hawk owl and brown hawk-owl species have no particular name.

What would you call a baby brown hawk owl?

Baby brown hawk owls and northern hawk owls from North America do not have any special name. However, a baby guinea fowl bird is termed a keet.

What do they eat?

The primary source of food for these owls is insects. Their major food sources include large insects, birds, small mammals, lizards, and frogs. They seek food at dusk from a position on a tree branch or post.

Are they dangerous?

These owls are unusually friendly to humans and will often allow a person to come quite close. During the mating season, though, they may guard their young with vigor.

Would they make a good pet?

Birds of prey are not suitable as pets. 

Did you know...

The brown owl with its big, frightening yellow eyes looks like a hawk. The back is solid brown, the breast is diffusely brown-spotted white, and the beak has a pale triangle above it. It is most energetic at dusk and night and frequently hunts from a disclosed perch.

It is believed in some cultures that tawny owls found in North Africa are unlucky because they roam at night, and their cry is readily mimicked.

How can you tell a hawk from an owl?

An owl's eyes are situated in front of its head, just like a human's, whereas a hawk's eyes, like those of other birds, are placed on the sides. An owl must swivel its head to view to the side and back because of this, but hawks can see forward and in both directions without turning their heads.

Is a hawk owl a carnivore?

All owl species are voracious prey birds that eat mostly insects and small mammals, including rats, mice, and hares. This hawk-owl species are resident non-migratory birds. After breeding, they scatter locally.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these radjah shelduck facts and yellow warbler facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable brown hawk owl coloring pages.

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Written by Devangana Rathore

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

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Devangana RathoreBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

Devangana is a highly accomplished content writer and a deep thinker with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. With a wealth of experience in copywriting, she has worked with The Career Coach in Dublin and is constantly looking to enhance her skills through online courses from some of the world's leading universities. Devangana has a strong background in computer science and is also an accomplished editor and social media manager. Her leadership skills were honed during her time as the literacy society president and student president at the University of Delhi.

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Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi

Postgraduate Diploma in Management

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Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.

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