''Heads DOWN''

Meet Misty, the Great Grey Owl.

The Great Grey Owl or Lapland Owl, Strix nebulosa, is a very large owl, distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. In some areas it is also called the Great Gray Ghost, Phantom of the north, Cinereous Owl, Spectral Owl, Lapland Owl, Spruce Owl, Bearded Owl and Sooty Owl.

Adults have a big, rounded head with a grey face and yellow eyes with darker circles around them. The underparts are light with dark streaks; the upper parts are grey with pale bars. This owl does not have ear tufts and has the largest facial disc of any raptor.

In terms of length, the Great Grey Owl is believed to exceed the Eurasian Eagle-owl and the Blakiston's Fish Owl as the world's largest owl.

The Great Grey is outweighed by those two species as well as several others, including most of the Bubo genus. Much of its size is deceptive, since this species' fluffy feathers, long tail and large head obscure a body lighter than that of most other large owls. The length ranges from 61 to 84 cm (24 to 33 in), averaging 72 cm (27 in) for females and 67 cm (26 in) for males. The wingspan can exceed 152 cm (60 in), but averages 142 cm (56 in) for females and 140 cm (55 in) for males. The adult weight ranges from 700 to 1800 grams (1½ to 4 lb), averaging 1290 grams (2 lb 14 oz) for females and 1000 g (2 lb 3 oz) for males. The males are usually smaller than females, as in most owl species.

Falconry UK Ltd.

Enjoy the excitement of falconry at the Birds of Prey and Conservation Centre, North Yorkshire; with over 70 birds and 30 species. The handler shouts out '' HEADS DOWN'' as the owl comes swooping in from across the field.

Eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, vultures and owls will swoop and dive around you as you sit in a beautiful English garden. The skilled handlers explain why the birds hunt and fly as they do, where they come from in the wild and how they are trained.