|
Scientific Name : Bubo bubo
They can be found in many parts of mainland Europe, but are more common in the Scandinavian countries. They have not lived in Britain since the 18th century.
The type of habitat they prefer is open forest in rocky areas, so that they have trees to rest in during the day and rocky crevices to make their nests in.
These birds are at the very top of the food chain, and will hunt and kill anything from a small deer to a mouse. They swoop silently down on their prey, grabbing it with their deadly talons and flying off with it in their beak. Small creatures are swallowed whole, larger ones ripped apart. Some hours later, the owl vomits up a little parcel (called a pellet) of bones. we can work out exactly what the owl had for dinner by examining these pellets.
The adult eagle owl is unlikely to be anyone's dinner, but chicks might be eaten by cats or other birds of prey if they are not guarded well enough.
Female European eagle owls usually nest in a rocky crevice which they line with a few feathers. 2 or 3 eggs are laid and are kept warm by the female, while the male brings her food. When the eggs hatch ( after 35 days) both parents bring food to the chicks for the first few weeks of life. The chicks try their first flight at about 8 weeks old, and will be independent at 6 months old.
Senses
The sense of sight and hearing are far better than those of humans. Owls
really can see in the dark, and can hear the high pitched squeak of a mouse
on the ground below.
Owls have fairly large territories which they guard from other birds of prey.
They are nocturnal,
flying and hunting all through the night.
Facts and Figures |
|
Name |
eagle owl |
Type of animal |
bird |
Where found |
Europe & Asia |
Habitat |
forest |
Diet |
carnivorous |
Average length |
65 cm |
Average weight |
3 kg |
Average number of young per year |
2 |
Egg incubation |
35 days |
Maximum lifespan |
40 years |