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Eurasian Eagle Owl
(Bubo bubo)
Range
The Palearctic region from south and eastern continental Europe and
Scandinavia east across northwestern and central Russia and central
Siberia to the Sea of Okhotsk, Sakhalin, Kuril Island and Japan. Also,
south to the northern Mediterranean region, Turkey, northern Iraq, Iran,
northeastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, northern India, Tibet,
China and Korea. Found in forest, woodland, desert, and farmland
habitats. Likes rocky outcrops and forests although is found in all
types of habitats.
Size
Largest owl in the world.
Length: 46 - 73 cm
Wingspan: 170 cm (~ 4 ft.)
Weight: 1600 - 4000 g
Diet
Mice, rats, squirrels, hedgehogs, buzzards, pigeons, crows, and magpies.
Description
Largest of all owls, they have prominent ear tufts, a boldly streaked
breast, and heavily feathered toes and tarsi. They have a light brown
body which is heavily spotted and barred with dark brown. The underparts
are spotted and the wings, tail, and upperparts are heavily barred. They
have large, bright orange eyes and black bill and talons.
Natural History
Typically crepuscular but also diurnal and nocturnal hunters. Often
hunting from a perch. When hunting, they fly low to the ground to sneak
up on prey. They clean the inedible parts at cleaning sites. They are
the nocturnal counterparts of large birds of prey such as eagles and
buzzards in that they share the heavy, compressed, eagle-like bill and
enormously powerful talons. They prey on mammals and birds up to the
size of hares and game birds. They are the largest and most powerful owl
and can kill young roe deer and fox. Mating season is January -
February. Most breeding territories hold several nesting sites used in
rotation. They usually nest on cliff ledges or the floor of rocky caves,
where the nest itself is a scrape in the ground. Sometimes, they will
use old abandoned nests of eagles or buzzards. They lay 3 - 6 eggs and
the female incubates for about 35 days. Young fledge at about 5 weeks of
age, but it is several more weeks before they can fly properly and the
parents will continue to help feed them for several months.They have
been reported to live 50 + years in captivity.
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