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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | 103-272 |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Endangered |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
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| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
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The species occupies boreal forest and mixed woodland, with some open areas such as bogs, clearings or small fields, however, in Central Europe, it is confined to deciduous woods, particularly of beech (Fagus sylvatica), in mountain areas. It is often found near human dwellings and also in pastureland (Holt et al. 1999).
It is monogamous (König and Weick 2008) and breeds from February to July. The species nests in tree holes or hollow stumps and will often use nest boxes. Also, they sometimes nest in cliff cavities or buildings, old raptor nests, crow nests (Corvus) or squirrel dreys (Sciurus) and rarely on ground (Holt et al. 1999). Clutches are usually three to four eggs.
Its diet is made up of a large variety of mammals, birds, frogs, and insects, with voles, shrews, mice and rats as the main prey (König and Weick 2008).
This species is extremely sedentary (Mikkola 1983).
CITES Appendix II. Bern Convention Appendix II. EU Birds Directive Annex I.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Nest boxes are important for the conservation of this species (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997) and thus should continue to be provided to prevent future declines (Holt et al. 1999).