Meet the Animal Park's Eagle-Owl

NATIVE RANGE

Eurasian Eagle-owls are found across Europe and Asia, in forest, shrubland, grassland, and caves. They prefer rocky areas with cliffs and ravines.

DIET

Eagle-owls are carnivores. They eat mainly small mammals (rodents, hares) and birds, and will also consume reptiles, frogs, fish, and large insects. They eat their prey whole but (like other owls) can’t digest bones, beaks, feathers, fur, or claws, so they regurgitate those in pellet form a few hours later.

BEHAVIOR

Primarily nocturnal, eagle-owls roost solo or in pairs (they are monogamous, often mating for life) on rocks or crevices, sometimes in trees. They don’t build nests but rather nest on the surface or on materials already in place. They are territorial and generally sedentary, with adults staying within a single territory throughout their life unless forced to leave due to food shortages or other owls.

FASCINATING FACTS

• Like other owls, eagle-owls have several adaptations for nighttime activity. Their excellent ability to see in the dark comes from their large eyes, which make up a significant portion of their body weight, allowing for more light intake.
• Owls’ hunting is aided by their nearly silent flight. Comb-like serrations on the leading edge of their wing feathers break up the air turbulence that otherwise would cause a swooshing or whistling sound. Sound is dampened further by a velvety feather texture and by a soft fringe on the wing’s trailing edge.

• The eagle-owl neck has 14 vertebrae that allow it to rotate the head up to 270 degrees. (Humans and most mammals have only seven neck vertebrae; humans can rotate their heads up to around 180 degrees.)