Did You Know?
All adults in the group help raise baby Cotton-tops, even brothers and sisters.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Characteristics
Eagle owls look very much like their great horned cousins, but are much larger birds. They have prominent ear tufts that are usually not raised upright. Eagle owls have mottled brownish feathers, and a streaked breast. Like most owls and raptors, there are no color differences between the sexes. The eagle owl has very large eyes that are a vivid orange in color.
Behavior
Eagle owls have a large repertoire of hoots, growls, chirps, clicks and beak-clacks they use to communicate moods and needs. Silent and deadly hunters, the eagle owl swoops down upon its prey from above. Owlets leave the nest before fledging and are called “branchers”. They climb around on tree branches until their wings are sufficiently feathered for flight.
Did You Know?
- Eagle owls are the largest owl in the world!
- Like most owls, eagle owls have excellent hearing and night vision.
- Eagle Owls will eat almost anything the moves - from beetles to roe deer fawns. They can even capture food in mid-air!
Our Animals
3 eagle owls live here at PPZ, and our oldest male celebrated his 20th birthday this year! They will be getting a new exhibit built in 2010, so look for their new home soon!
Gallery
Video
Scientific Name
Bubo bubo
Conservation Status
IUCN: Least Concern
Size
Females are the larger sex, and can be around 2.5 feet in length with a 6-7 foot wingspan!
Average Lifespan
In the wild, up to 20 years, but in captivity the eagle owl may live up to 60 years!
Wild Diet
Small to medium sized mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Found across Northern Europe through Asia and rarely as far south as parts of Northern Africa
