Eurasian Eagle Owls

Nicademous "Nicky", male Eurasian Eagle Owl

The Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is one of the largest species of owl in the world. If you live in Eurasia and your small child suddenly goes missing during the quiet dusk to dawn, check the skies for something with a 5-6 foot wingspan. Its kidnapper might just be this bird. (I’m kidding, I’m kidding.) Now, with an opening caption like that, you’re probably really eager to learn about these exciting Strigiformes.

Scientific Classification

Class: Aves

Order: Strigiformes 

Family: Strigidae 

Genus: Bubo

Species: B. bubo

Description
  Occasionally referred to as the world’s largest owl, however it is usually lighter than the Blakiston’s Fish Owl and shorter than the Great Grey Owl. The Eurasian Eagle Owl has a length of about 24 to 30 inches, and a weight of 3 to 9 pounds, females being on the larger side. Males have ear tufts that are more upright than females, who appear to have giant eyebrows that don’t fit on their head. As said before, they have a 5-6 foot wingspan.

Habitat/Range
  Eagle Owls are distributed through Europe and Asia, the Middle East, and a small bit of North Africa. They occupy a variety of habitats, from forests to desert-like areas. Conversation status varies, there is little concern.

Behavior
  Like most owls, the Eurasian Eagle Owl is mostly nocturnal. Their calls often sound like ooh-hu, males putting more emphasis on the first syllable and females doing a more girly, high pitched uh-Hu! I’m almost certain you quietly made those noises to yourself. Don’t deny it.

  Eagle Owls are birds that will try to get the grubby talons of their stocky body on many things to eat, from shrews to fox and small deer. They will take prey from ground or in flight, mainly eating mammals but will also eat birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Extremely Exciting Facts that will make you squeal with Excitement:

• Can live up to 20 years in the wild, and up to 60 years in captivity.
• Nest in ledges and rock crevices on cliffs, laying 1-4 eggs.
• They probably have the easiest and most pathetic scientific name, Bubo bubo.