Cumbria, England - Conservationists at England's Forestry Commission found what they believe to be the oldest breeding tawny owl ever found.

A 20-year old owl reared two chicks in a specially provided box in the Kershope Forest near Scotland.

"The fact that the old girl had chicks shows that she must be in reasonable health," conservationist Brian Little said.

The Forestry Commission began a project in 1980 to protect the tawny owl and forestry officials note the project's contribution to the recent discovery.

The owl will become the oldest ever tawny owl in England if she survives the winter.

Tawny owls typically live about 4 years.
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Wow, the fact she has lived 16 years longer than is expected is in it,s self quite amazing! But becomming a new mother also is really incredible! I wish her and her young one congradulations and a very happy and healthy future!

Wouldn't they already know if she was in good health and what not ..

An owl that old must being watched to see if she was or not ..

I would assume she's in great health if she's still breeding..... I wonder if she's asking "WHO"...

"oldest wild owl gives birth..."

This phrase interests me. Do egg laying animals "give birth"? Their physical involvement with the embryonic development is so limited relative to a mammal's.


It's fascinating that this owl has lived so much longer than the rest of her species. It's like a human living to be 280, assuming a 70 year old lifespan.

I would assume that the lifetime being so limited has alot to do with predation or environmental factors, more that a typical life expectancy in optimum conditions. So I would also assume this is a very healthy, happy and extremely wise (to have avoided the pitfalls of owl life) owl.

I thought owls lived longer than that, no so much as a parrot but a lil bit less