Species:

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

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Length (cm):
65-70
26-29
Wingspan (cm):
134-158
67-76
Weight (gram):
500-1500
160-280
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Thrush-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Approaching Eagle Owl in size, but shape more elongated, with head being extremely large. Differs from Ural Owl in yellow eyes, concentric markings in facial disks, bold white bars between eyes and black "beard". Wings and tail long. Characteristic pale patch at base of primaries shows in flight, but the species leaves an overall darker impression than Ural Owl. Tail with dark terminal band.

Sound:

Song: Cyclic, repetitive, very deep calls rising and falling in volume. Accented start and end of each "hooh". As the call fades away in volume, the speed accelerates. Sometimes disyllabic "ho-ho,ho-ho,ho-ho,ho-ho".

Song:

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See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Gunnar Fernqvist, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Unmistakable in breeding plumage with golden, speckled upperparts and white-bordered black throat and belly. Male generally blacker than female, but due to regional differences, some females may be darker than males from other areas. Juveniles and birds in winter plumage, lacks the black underparts, and could be mistaken for Grey Plover. Differs from that species in more golden coloured back, less heavy bill and neck and by being slightly smaller. In flight easily told apart from Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover and American Golden Plover by white axillaries.

Sound:

Most common call at breeding ground a disyllabic, melancholic and wailing whistle with the end falling in pitch. In song flight also a trilling, warbling and cyclic "preecaria-preecaria-preecaria". Contact call a straight, short "kluee".

Contact call at breeding ground:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Owls
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Waders
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Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
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See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file