Teddy
Tengmalm’s Owl
Teddy
On a map of the world, the main range of this species looks like a narrow band drawn right across the northern hemisphere. However, there is an isolated population in Central Europe, a tiny population in the Pyrenees and a few isolated islands of distribution in the Caucasian Mountains and Central Asia. These pockets were perhaps left behind in high-altitude forests when the bulk of the range moved northwards after the most recent Ice Age.
“Teddy” is one of the very few Tengmalm Owls you will see in captivity in the UK. He has joined our Education Team which visits many schools each year to encourage more children to better understand conservation and our role in conserving the planet. When the vole population is depleted throughout the natural range of the Tengmalm’s Owl we may well have a sighting of this owl in the UK. Sadly, these forced migrations seldom turn out well and most owls fail to return to their nesting territories.
In keeping with its cold, northern range, the Tengmalm’s Owl has thick feathering which is exceptionally soft and silky in texture and conceals a surprisingly small bird beneath.
Common Name: Tengmalm’s Owl
Latin Name: Aegolius funereus
Conservation Status: Generally uncommon to rare, with some populations particularly endangered due to heavy deforestation in recent years.
Wingspan: 540 – 580mm
Weight: 150 – 230g
Lifespan: 3 – 11 years in the wild
Diet: small mammals, such as voles, mice, chipmunks, and squirrels.
Average Litter Size: 2 – 7 eggs.
Habitat: Boreal is the American name of this tiny owl and an accurate description of the habitat of this northern owl. These owls live mainly in the cold and gloomy forests of the North.
Boreal is the American name of this tiny owl and an accurate description of the habitat of this northern owl. These owls live mainly in the cold and gloomy forests of the North.