Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Eurasian Eagle-Owl Facts
| Size | 23-29 inches (59-73 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 31 mph (50 km/h) |
| Weight | 2.6-10 pounds (1.2-4.6 kg) |
| Lifespan | Up to 20 years |
| Food | Mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects |
| Predators | Foxes, martens (chick only) |
| Habitat | Europe, Asia, northern Africa |
| Order | Owls |
| Family | True owls |
| Scientific name | Bubo bubo |
| Characteristics | Second largest owl; its call sounds like “ooh-ho” |
Main Characteristics
The Eurasian eagle-owl is the second largest owl, right after the Blakiston's fish owl. It has a large, barrel-shaped body, a barred plumage, and long, curved wings. Its most striking features are its bright orange eyes and tufted ears. It got its name from its long, distinctive call, which sounds like "oh-hoo," with the "oh" drawn out, making it sound like "oooh-hoo".
Species
There are 11 species in the owl family, including the American great horned owl, the large Blakiston's fish owl, and the Chilean lesser horned owl. The snowy owl is also part of the family.
Distribution and Habitat
Eurasian eagle-owls can be found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They favor open coniferous forests but also live in treeless mountains, steppes, and coastal areas. These birds are highly adaptable. They thrive in diverse landscapes that include hedges, bushes, fields, water bodies, and open spaces.
Way of Life
Owls are active at night and during twilight, hunting for rodents and birds. During the day, they rest in trees or on rocks.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The Eurasian eagle-owl is the second-largest owl species. It measures 23-29 inches (59-73 cm) in body length and its wingspan is 54-66 inches (138-170 cm). Its weight is 2.6-10 pounds (1.2-4.6 kg), with females being noticeably larger than males. The largest owl is the Blakiston's fish owl, found in Russia, China, and Japan, while the third-largest is the great horned owl, native to America.
Eyes
The eyes are a mix of orange and yellow, in some leaning more towards yellow and in others more towards orange.
Tufted Ears
Eurasian eagle-owls have black-brown ear tufts that can grow up to 3 inches (8 cm) long. They typically point slightly to the side.
Facial Disc
Eurasian eagle-owls have facial discs, which help them in hearing. They're made up of many short, stiff feathers that are arranged in a circle around their eyes. When sounds hit the facial disc, they're sent straight to the ears. The disc works kind of like a satellite dish. In Eurasian eagle-owls, the facial disc is smaller than that of other types of owls.
Bill
Eurasian eagle-owls have a short, curved bill that is black in color.
Plumage
Eurasian eagle-owls have brown feathers with dark brown bars and tips. Even their feet are covered in feathers.
Talons
Eurasian eagle-owls have long, black talons.
Diet
Eurasian eagle-owls are carnivores. They're highly adaptable and will eat whatever is available in their environment. However, they particularly enjoy mice, voles, squirrels, and rats, and occasionally hunt rabbits, hedgehogs, and ground squirrels. They also prey on birds such as woodpeckers and smaller owls like the tawny owl. From time to time, they may also consume amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
Behavior
Voice
The Eurasian eagle-owl's call sounds like "oh-hoo." It's quite loud and can be heard over long distances. The males have a deeper voice compared to the females. The "oh" is elongated, making its call resemble more of a "ooh-hoo".
Hunting Behavior
Eurasian eagle-owls are exceptional hunters. They prefer to hunt at night but are also active during twilight, searching for prey. Typically, they perch on a tree branch or fence. From these vantage points, they keep a watchful eye, listening for any signs of rodents nearby. Once they spot something, they swoop low to the ground and try to catch it.
Senses and Abilities
Senses
Sense of Hearing
The most important sense of the Eurasian eagle-owl is its hearing. The facial disc enhances its auditory ability significantly, as the delicate feathers direct all sounds straight to its ears.
Sense of Sight
Eurasian eagle-owls have an exceptional sense of sight. Their eyes are particularly adapted for seeing in the dark.
The Head Can Rotate 270°
The Eurasian eagle-owl, like all owls, can rotate its head up to 270°. But why does it need this ability? Its eyes are fixed and can't move sideways like ours. To keep an eye on everything around it, it relies on its ability to turn its head.
Silent Hunter
The flight feathers of Eurasian eagle-owls have a unique feature that allows them to fly silently: their edges are fringed, resembling a comb. As air flows past these frayed feathers, it gets caught in them, effectively "swallowing" any potential sounds.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, Eurasian eagle-owls can live up to 20 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Adult Eurasian eagle-owls have no natural enemies. They're apex predators, meaning they sit at the peak of the food chain. They're quite aggressive and fiercely protect their young. As a result, their chicks rarely fall prey to any predators.
Human Impact
The biggest threat to Eurasian eagle-owls comes from pest control agents that they ingest through their prey, such as rat poison. Additionally, accidents involving cars and trains pose a significant risk. Many owls also get caught in wire fences or suffer fatal electric shocks from fences and cables.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Eurasian eagle-owls play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of rodent and bird populations, making them essential for the health of their ecosystem. They're often referred to as a "keystone species". If owls were to disappear from their habitat, no other animal could take on their role, leading to significant changes in the environment. This could result in some species overpopulating while others face starvation or be forced to migrate.
Reproduction
Courtship Behavior and Mating
Male Eurasian eagle-owls begin their courtship rituals in September by calling out with deep and persistent "buuh-hoo" sounds. This is their way of attracting a female to their nesting site. The female responds with a bright "uuh-juh." If she is pleased with both the nesting location and the male, they will bond for life. The male shows great care for the female, feeding her for weeks before she lays her eggs. It’s only after the chicks have hatched that she resumes hunting for herself.
Nest
Owls don't build their own nests. Instead, they make their homes in rock crevices, ground depressions, or abandoned nests of birds of prey.
Breeding Season, Eggs Chicks
The breeding season starts in late February and continues until April. After mating, the female lays 2-4 eggs, usually one every few days. The chicks hatch after approximately 31-36 days. They are covered in soft feathers and weigh only about 2 ounces (60 grams). Unfortunately, only 30% survive their first year. They become independent after around 5 months.
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl Is Related To:
- Blakiston's Fish Owl
- Great Horned Owl
- Pharaoh Eagle-Owl
- Snowy Owl
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Adder
- Badger
- Bee-Eater
- Brown Rat
- Common Blackbird
- Common Frog
- Common Raven
- Eurasian Jay
- European Hamster
- European Brown Hare
- European Rabbit
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Green Woodpecker
- Grey Heron
- Hedgehog
- Lemming
- Long-Eared Owl
- Magpie
- Marten
- Mink
- Mole
- Mountain Hare
- Mouse
- Red Fox
- Rock Dove
- Vole
- Weasel
- Wild Boar
- Wood Pigeon
Sources:
- „Moonlight Makes Owls More Chatty“ (https://journals.plos.org)
- „Analysis of Home Range of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) by WT-100“ (https://www.sciencedirect.com)
- „Factors influencing territorial occupancy and reproductive success in a Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) population“ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- „Distribution, density and trends of the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) population breeding in March-Thaya floodplain forests: impact of owlets on sustainability of natural nests“ (https://sciendo.com)
- „The diet of the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) in various natural environments across Eurasia“ (https://sciendo.com)
- „Predictive Models of Habitat Preferences for the Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo: A Multiscale Approach“ (https://www.jstor.org)
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