Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Very large brown owl. Usually identifiable by its size and brown tones alone. Long ear-tufts usually pointing to the sides (depending on mood). Face differs from Long-eared Owl in having rather dark and brownish facial disks, and much less prominent light eye-brows. Eyes orange. Lacks the pale base of primaries of Great Grey Owl. Flight powerful and more raptorlike than other owls, interspersed with long glides. Ear-tufts foldable, and less visible in flight.
Sound:Song a very deep "ooho". Continuous, but disyllabic. First syllable emphasized and second syllable rapidly falling in pitch. Quite similar to Long-eared Owl, but deeper and with more pronounced pitch change at end ("release"). Frequency of calls also diagnostic: Typically 8-10 seconds between each "ooho" (2-3 seconds in Long-eared Owl ). Audible at 1 - 4 km distance. Both sexes sing. Has a rich repertoire of contact/alarm calls like a hoarse, heron-like "kreaaak", and an excited, bubbling "hohohohoh".
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCMale told from Tree Sparrow by grey crown, grey cheeks with no cheek-patch, larger black bib and grey rump. Female rather featureless, and thus not likely to be confused with Tree Sparrow. Confusion with female Scarlet Rosefinch possible, but underparts unstreaked. Profile of House Sparrow differs from Tree Sparrow by larger, less rounded head and less heavy bill.
Sound:Most calls very similar to Tree Sparrow, but lacks said species' distinct high pitched call (chew-itt), and alarm call is less dry and raucous. Song a primitive, monosyllabic, or slightly disyllabic "chilp", hard to distinguish from Tree Sparrow.
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CC