# Eurasian Eagle-Owl (*Bubo bubo*) The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is one of the largest owls in the world! It has striking orange eyes and can be found in various habitats across Europe and Asia. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests, mountains, and rocky areas - **Also known as:** Bubo Owl, Eurasian Owl ![Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426709/objects/4606.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a very large owl distinguished by its prominent, dark ear tufts and piercing orange eyes. Its plumage is a beautiful mix of streaky dark browns, tawny, and rust colors, providing excellent camouflage against trees and rocks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Bubo ## Interesting facts - An eagle-owl’s huge, fixed eyes are as big as human eyes! - Their famous 'ear' tufts are just feathers, showing mood! - These powerful owls can catch prey bigger than themselves! - They can turn their head almost 270 degrees in either direction! ## Special abilities - **Whisper Wings:** Eurasian Eagle-Owls can fly almost silently because their specialized feather edges dampen sound, helping them surprise prey. - **Night Sight:** Eurasian Eagle-Owls have huge, fixed eyes packed with rod cells that help them see tiny movements in very low light. - **Iron Grip:** Eurasian Eagle-Owls possess incredibly strong talons that can instantly subdue large prey, preventing escape. - **Pinpoint Hearing:** Eurasian Eagle-Owls use their asymmetrical ear openings to precisely locate prey in complete darkness by sound. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 58-75 cm - **Wingspan:** 138-190 cm - **Weight:** 1.5-4.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-60 years - **Speed:** 80 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-6 - **Incubation:** 31-36 days ## Diet & Feeding This large owl is a skilled nocturnal hunter, feasting on small to medium-sized mammals and birds. - **Primary Foods:** Rabbits, Hares, Rats, Hedgehogs, Crows, Ducks - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — A primary food source in many parts of its range. - **Hunts:** [European Hare](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hare) (*Lepus europaeus*) — Targets larger hares with its powerful talons. - **Hunts:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Can overcome the hedgehog's spiky defenses. - **Hunts:** [Carrion Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carrion-crow) (*Corvus corone*) — Often preys on sleeping crows at night. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — May prey on eagle-owl eggs or owlets in nests. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Eagle-Owl? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Eagle-Owl? 58-75 cm ### What is Eurasian Eagle-Owl's wingspan? 138-190 cm ### How much does Eurasian Eagle-Owl weigh? 1.5-4.2 kg ### How long does Eurasian Eagle-Owl live? 20-60 years ### How fast can Eurasian Eagle-Owl move? 80 km/h ### What does Eurasian Eagle-Owl eat? This large owl is a skilled nocturnal hunter, feasting on small to medium-sized mammals and birds. ### Where is Eurasian Eagle-Owl usually found? Forests, mountains, and rocky areas ## Where to spot - [Cascades Raptor Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cascades-raptor-center) — Oregon, US · Zoo - [Lake Superior Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-superior-zoo) — Minnesota, US · Zoo - [National Aviary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-aviary) — Pennsylvania, US · Zoo - [Tierpark Hexentanzplatz Thale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hexentanzplatz-thale) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo - [Wild- und Erlebnispark Daun](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-daun) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Zoo - [Tiergarten Stendal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-stendal) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-eagle-owl) ## Watch - [Play video: Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/videos/eurasian-eagle-owl) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/published_manually) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Eagle-Owl: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl)