Tawny Owl
/ˈtɔː.ni aʊl/noun
A medium-sized woodland owl, Strix aluco, with reddish-brown or gray-brown plumage.
Did you know?The tawny owl’s scientific genus, Strix, comes from Latin for an owl-like night creature associated in Roman folklore with ominous cries and supernatural danger.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*uh₂l- / *u̯l̥kʷos
“A proposed ancient root associated with the owl; the exact prehistory of English owl remains debated.”
Old English
Old English
ūle
“Owl, a nocturnal bird.”
Old French
Old French
tauné
“Tawny-colored, brownish-yellow; derived from the language of tanning leather.”
Middle English
Middle English
tawny
“Brownish-yellow, tan-colored.”
19th Century
English
tawny owl
“A descriptive common name for the brown woodland owl, Strix aluco.”
Modern English
English
tawny owl
“The familiar woodland owl known for its haunting hoot and mottled camouflage.”