I've Got My Eye on You!
This is a Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), a species of eagle owl resident in much of Europe and Asia. It is also one of the largest types of owls.
The Eagle Owl is a large and powerful bird, smaller than the Golden Eagle but larger than the Snowy Owl. It is sometimes referred to as the world's largest owl, but this is actually the Blakiston's Fish Owl, which is slightly bigger on average.
The Eagle Owl has a wingspan of 138–200 cm and measures 58–75 cm long. Females weigh 1.75-4.5 kg and males weigh 1.5-3.2 kg. In comparison, the Barn Owl weighs about 500 grams.
The great size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a distinctive species. The ear tufts of males are more upright than those of females (which presumably makes this a female!). The upper parts are brown-black and tawny-buff, showing as dense freckling on the forehead and crown, stripes on the nape, sides and back of the neck, and dark splotches on the pale ground colour of the back, mantle and scapulars.
It mainly feeds on small mammals in the 200-2,000 grams weight range, such as voles, rats, mice and hares. However, prey can be killed up to the size of foxes, marmots and young deer (up to 17 kg), if taken by surprise. The other significant group of prey is other birds and almost any type of bird is potential prey. Common avian prey include corvids, grouse, woodpeckers, other raptors and, especially near coastal areas, ducks, seabirds and geese. Larger prey (over 3 kg) is consumed on the ground which leaves the bird vulnerable (for example to foxes).
This species has a strong direct flight, usually consisting of shallow wing beats and long, fast glides. Unusually for an owl, it has also been known to soar on updrafts. It is largely nocturnal and is usually found nesting on cliff ledges.
The Eagle Owl can live for 20 years in the wild although like many other bird species in captivity they can live much longer, perhaps up to 60 years. Adults have no natural predators and are thus considered apex predators. Man-made causes are the leading cause of death for this species: electrocution, traffic accidents and shooting sometimes claim the eagle-owl.
Seen during a display at Colchester Zoo.
I've Got My Eye on You!
This is a Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), a species of eagle owl resident in much of Europe and Asia. It is also one of the largest types of owls.
The Eagle Owl is a large and powerful bird, smaller than the Golden Eagle but larger than the Snowy Owl. It is sometimes referred to as the world's largest owl, but this is actually the Blakiston's Fish Owl, which is slightly bigger on average.
The Eagle Owl has a wingspan of 138–200 cm and measures 58–75 cm long. Females weigh 1.75-4.5 kg and males weigh 1.5-3.2 kg. In comparison, the Barn Owl weighs about 500 grams.
The great size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a distinctive species. The ear tufts of males are more upright than those of females (which presumably makes this a female!). The upper parts are brown-black and tawny-buff, showing as dense freckling on the forehead and crown, stripes on the nape, sides and back of the neck, and dark splotches on the pale ground colour of the back, mantle and scapulars.
It mainly feeds on small mammals in the 200-2,000 grams weight range, such as voles, rats, mice and hares. However, prey can be killed up to the size of foxes, marmots and young deer (up to 17 kg), if taken by surprise. The other significant group of prey is other birds and almost any type of bird is potential prey. Common avian prey include corvids, grouse, woodpeckers, other raptors and, especially near coastal areas, ducks, seabirds and geese. Larger prey (over 3 kg) is consumed on the ground which leaves the bird vulnerable (for example to foxes).
This species has a strong direct flight, usually consisting of shallow wing beats and long, fast glides. Unusually for an owl, it has also been known to soar on updrafts. It is largely nocturnal and is usually found nesting on cliff ledges.
The Eagle Owl can live for 20 years in the wild although like many other bird species in captivity they can live much longer, perhaps up to 60 years. Adults have no natural predators and are thus considered apex predators. Man-made causes are the leading cause of death for this species: electrocution, traffic accidents and shooting sometimes claim the eagle-owl.
Seen during a display at Colchester Zoo.