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Size and Weight: Throughout its range, the Eurasian Eagle
Owl varies in size and weight. At high latitudes and altitudes
they may reach a length of about 71 cm (28 inches) and in the
southern part of the range they may be as small as 46 cm (18 inches)
in length. The female is notably larger than the male, reaching
weights up to 3600 gms (8 lbs). Its wingspan can reach almost
1.5 m (5 feet).
Diet: The diet of the Eurasian Eagle Owl varies depending
on circumstances. It tends to take large prey and especially enjoys
mammals such as brown rats, voles, mice and lemmings. However,
being true opportunists, they will take whatever they can catch
and have even been recorded killing roe deer 3-4 times their weight.
Habitat and Distribution: The Eurasian Eagle Owl is one
of the most highly distributed of all the eagle owls. It ranges
across Europe and Asia with the exceptions of Japan and the British
Isles. It will travel as far south as Chad in Africa as well as
southeast into China to breed. The Eurasian Eagle Owl has adapted
to many habitats from northern pine forests, to rainforest, to
desert.
Status in the Wild: After being shot and trapped nearly
to extinction, the Eurasian Eagle Owl is endangered in parts of
its range. Land development has significantly changed the environment
and therefore lowered the amount of prey. However, people in Europe
has begun to raise the Eurasian Eagle Owl in captivity and release
them into the wild.
Habits and Adaptations: The Eurasian Eagle Owl is an elusive,
nocturnal hunter. Its feathers are especially soft, enabling silent
flight. This silent flight, coupled with the owl's excellent vision
and extremely acute hearing, make the Eurasian Eagle Owl a superb
night-time hunter. They are a typical perch-and-pounch hunter,
watching from a perch overlooking its hunting territory and pouncing
on prey on the ground.
Breeding and Maturation: The nests of the Eurasian Eagle
Owl are usually hidden in craggy rock faces or under an overhanging
rock on a cliff. They will also occasionally nest on a forest
floor or use the nest of another bird. They breed early and the
female incubates the eggs (usually 3-4) for 32-35 days. The young
generally leave the nest at about 5 weeks but may not fly until
they are 7-8 weeks old. During this time they are still fed by
the parents while they learn to hunt.
Lifespan: Provided they live through the first year, Eurasian
Eagle owls can probably live into their twenties in the wild.
Bibliography
Burton, J. (ed.). 1973. Owls of the World. E.P. Dutton and Co.
Inc. New York.
De La Torre, Julio. 1990. Owls: Their life and behavior. Crown
Publishers. New York.
Photo: by Ron Winch for the Minnesota Zoo
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