Mysterious bird of prey and one of the largest representatives of the owl family. Owls have attracted people’s attention for a long time with their appearance and distinctive habits. Even at this stage, scientists have not fully studied this species.
A distinctive feature of the eagle owl is its sturdy build and large orange-red eyes that cover feather ears. Plumage color in birds is predominantly red. The shade of the feathers may differ depending on its habitat and the species in question. The body length of an adult owl can vary from 50 to 70 centimeters. And the birds weigh on average three kilograms. The eagle owl is popular for its ability to rotate its head up to 270 degrees, making almost an entire turn of the head around the neck. With this opportunity, birds do not move their eyes. They always leave them motionless.
These predators have pronounced anatomical differences between the sexes. The female can be distinguished from the male by her large size. The most dangerous weapon of owls is claws. Sharp as knives, they are able to dig into the victim’s body, leaving no chance of survival.
Popular types
Eagle owls are classified into many species, each with its own unique traits. The type of eagle owl is determined depending on its habitat. Let’s consider the most common types:
An ordinary owl. In another way, the common eagle owl is called “Eurasian” or “northern”. A bird up to 75 centimeters in size and weighing up to three kilograms. The body of the common owl is barrel-shaped. The color is variegated with a predominant red and ocher color. The body is covered with black stripes. The species became widespread in Asia and North Africa.
Fish owl. An eagle owl with a body length of about 70 centimeters. The weight of a female of this species can be up to four kilograms. Plumage color is brown with black longitudinal spots. A distinctive feature of the fish owl is a white speck under the beak. This species is popular in Korea and the Far East.
Nepalese eagle owl. The bird settled in the forests of the Himalayas, Malaysia and Indochina. The color of the Nepalese eagle owl has a grayish-brown hue. This owl is remarkable for its amazing voice, similar to that of a human.
Virginia eagle owl. It is the largest species in America. Differs in a variety of colors. Its plumage can be brown, white or gray.
African eagle owl. Compared to its relatives, it is a fairly small representative. The body size of the African eagle owl reaches a maximum of 45 centimeters. The plumage color is red-brown with chaotic white spots. Popular on the African continent.
What does an owl eat
The eagle owl is a bird of prey and its diet corresponds to its status. Various mammals are suitable for him. Little eagle owls can eat insects. Large individuals hunt roe deer, badgers, mountain goats, hares and martens. If there are birds in their habitat, then the owls will not disdain them either. Chickens, finches, hazel grouses and even crows will be eaten. The fish owl, as the name suggests, feeds on crustaceans and various types of fish. Owls often eat bats and hedgehogs.
The owl divides large game in parts, which then hides until the next meal. Small mammals are swallowed whole.
Activity and lifestyle
Like most representatives of owls, the owl is a nocturnal predator. The hunt begins at nightfall. At dawn, after satiety, the owl returns to its shelter to sleep and digest food.
The amazing color of the eagle owls is designed to camouflage them. For other predators, the bird is a good prey, and the owl is susceptible to attacks during the daytime.
Many eagle owls lead a lonely and sedentary lifestyle. Only birds living in northern latitudes migrate to warm ones when frost sets in. Owls are lonely only before the onset of the mating season.
The owl loves to surprise with his voice, which, with its diversity, can frighten others. His exclamations are very reminiscent of human screams.
Reproduction
The mating season of eagle owls begins in spring. Depending on the species, birds compete in different ways in the fight for the female. Some arrange mating dances in an attempt to impress their future companion. Fish owls try to catch the maximum amount of prey in order to feed the darling. The formed couples are inseparable for the rest of their lives.
Owls do not make nests in the usual sense. The female lays her eggs in earthen trenches between rocks or under trees. The eagle owl can lay up to 5 eggs. Incubation takes a month of the female’s life.
The hatched chicks weigh in the region of 70 grams. Their body is covered with white fluff, and their eyes are closed for the first week after birth. After a month of life, eagle owls are able to independently move on the ground, usually on foot. And already at two months they make their first flights.
Chicks become independent at the age of seven or eight months.
Life span
Owls are long-livers. In the wild, their average age can reach from 14 to 16 years. Sometimes the age of an owl in the wild can be 25 years old. In captivity, these birds break all records. Many individuals live to be 50 years old. There have been cases when an owl lived to be 70 years old.
Owl video
