2026-05-17 Owl Ecology Briefing

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Latest Ecological Research Trends

• Unique Naming Conventions: While English speakers group all these birds under "owl," Korean, French, and Spanish are among the rare languages that distinguish between the two groups. Japan and Germany also use specific terms for certain species.

• Status in Korea: There are 10 species of owls in Korea, 7 of which are protected by law as Natural Monument No. 324.

• Research on Breeding: Because they are surprisingly low-activity and can easily become accustomed to humans, there has been significant research abroad regarding the breeding and keeping of owls.

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Owl Ecology and Habits

• Distinction by Ear Tufts: A widely known distinction in Korean social media is that "ol-pae-mi" lack ear tufts, while "bu-eong-i" have them (with exceptions like the Northern Boobook). However, the classification remains somewhat arbitrary and inconsistent even in the Korean language.

• Nocturnal Life: As nocturnal birds of prey that rule the night forests, their ecology was famously featured on the KBS Environment Special, "Rulers of the Forest." They rely on exceptional hearing and vision for hunting at night.

• Food Hoarding: Eurasian Eagle-Owls are known for hoarding food. Folklore even suggests that if you find their nest, you might find it stocked with pheasant or duck meat.

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Protection and Current Status

• Endangered Designation: According to the National Institute of Biological Resources database, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a resident bird found throughout Korea that prefers rocky mountains. The primary threats causing their decline include the construction of roads at forest edges and the reduction of forest areas, which fragment their habitats.

• Natural Monument No. 324: 7 out of the 10 owl species in Korea are designated and protected as Natural Monument No. 324, part of a national effort to ensure their conservation.

• Threats from Habitat Loss: While owls play a crucial role in controlling pests, habitat destruction and environmental pollution threaten many species. Government agencies and environmental groups are actively working on their preservation.

Editor's Note: This briefing references data from Namuwiki, the National Institute of Biological Resources database, and Wikipedia, updated between May 12–17, 2026. Sources prior to 2026-05-15 were included only where the most recent updates could be verified.