Tawny owls are the UK most common owl species but have declined significantly in recent decades, with woodland management, cat predation, and road mortality among the key welfare concerns.
Tawny owl welfare is threatened by loss of old trees with cavities, cat predation of fledglings on the ground, and starvation of young birds during their first independent winter. Nest box provision and retention of old trees directly benefits welfare. Keeping cats indoors at night protects grounded fledglings.