Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a large owl native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has orange eyes, long , and a wingspan of 4.9–6.6 ft (1.5–2 m). It is not native to the United States.

Appearance

Appearance: Adults are about 23–28 in (58–71 cm) long, with a 4.9–6.6 ft (1.5–2 m) wingspan. They are bulky brown-and-buff owls with prominent ear tufts and vivid orange eyes.
Voice: Deep hoots and clucking calls help pairs stay in contact and advertise a .

Look-alikes

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

In North America, a wild horned owl is normally a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). It usually has yellow eyes and a stronger dark border around the face, while a Eurasian Eagle-Owl is larger overall and usually has orange eyes.

Why they get mixed upBoth are large brown owls with prominent ear tufts.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: rocky cliffs
open woodland edges
grasslands and farmland
Range: Its wild range stretches across much of Europe and Asia and into North Africa. It is not a native member of the U.S. owl fauna, but the species is kept in managed care.
Preferred conditions: It needs secure nesting ledges or cavities near open areas with enough prey.

Behavior

Diet: They take many kinds of prey, but small mammals such as rats, mice, and voles usually make up much of the diet. Birds, reptiles, and large insects are also eaten.
Activity: They usually rest by day and become active around dusk and through the night.

Life cycle

Nest: A pair commonly uses a sheltered cliff ledge, rock crevice, cave entrance, or an abandoned large bird nest.
Clutch size: A has 1–4 eggs.
Incubation: The female incubates for about 31–36 days while the male brings food.
Lifespan: Typical wild lifespan is about 10–20 years.

Name and classification

About the name: The European eagle-owl (Bubo bubo bubo) is one regional of this wide-ranging owl.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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