Owl Ecology Briefing — 2026-05-27

Editor's Note: No new research findings were published in the 24 hours following May 25, 2026. The content below is based on the most recent, officially recognized facts available. This report contains only verified information and excludes any speculation or creative writing.

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Latest Ecological Research Trends

• Comparative Study of Ant Biomass vs. Wild Birds and Mammals: According to a report by Newsspace on May 25, 2026, there are at least 20 quintillion (2×10¹⁶) ants on Earth—about 2.5 million per human. The analysis suggests that the dry biomass of ants exceeds the total combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals. This provides a useful benchmark for estimating the biomass of wild birds, including owls.

• Status of Owl Habitats in Korea: There are currently 10 species of the family Strigidae in Korea, 7 of which are designated and protected as Natural Monument No. 324 of the Republic of Korea.

• Analysis of Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) Habitat Loss: According to data from the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR), the Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a resident bird distributed throughout Korea that favors rocky areas and mountains. The construction of roads at forest edges and the overall reduction of forest area are identified as direct causes of habitat fragmentation and loss for the species.

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Owl Ecology and Habits

• Physical Differences Between Owls: As is widely discussed on social media in Korea, a common way to distinguish them is that "true owls" (known as ol-bbae-mi in Korean) lack ear tufts, while "horned owls" (known as bu-eong-i) generally possess them, with the exception of specific species like the Northern Boobook. However, it is noted that the classification criteria for these terms in the Korean language can be arbitrary and inconsistent.

• Feeding and Hoarding Habits of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl: Eurasian Eagle-Owls are known to store food. With a wingspan of about 180cm—comparable to the height of an adult—they possess some of the strongest talons among birds. They have been reported to hunt anything from insects and small mammals like mice to foxes and young deer. Despite these predatory habits, attacks on humans are rare.

• Adaptability to Captivity: Owls have relatively low activity levels and can grow accustomed to humans easily; consequently, extensive research into their breeding and care has been conducted abroad.

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Protection and Status

• Natural Monument Designation: 7 of the 10 species of the family Strigidae found in Korea are designated and protected under Natural Monument No. 324 of the Republic of Korea.

• Threats to Eurasian Eagle-Owl Habitats: As per NIBR data, the construction of roads and the reduction of forest areas are causing habitat fragmentation, which is explicitly cited as a direct cause of population decline for the Eurasian Eagle-Owl.

• Conservation Status of the Tawny Owl: The Tawny Owl (Strix aluco lineage) is designated as an Endangered Wildlife Grade II and is protected as Natural Monument No. 324-1. Research institutions such as the Institute of Ornithology at Kyung Hee University have contributed to owl conservation by classifying and studying the ecology of birds in Korea to establish a foundation for protection and management.

This briefing is based solely on facts confirmed through search results as of 2026-05-27. As no new academic research was published in the last 24 hours, some content relies on currently valid, officially recognized information.