Meet Our Eurasian Eagle Owl
Eurasian Eagle Owls are the second or third largest species of owl. They are lighter than the Blakistons Fishing Owl and usually slightly shorter than the Great Grey Owl. They are fantastic hunters with impressive talons on their feet, which are considered to be longer than a Leopards claws and are very sharp. They are also able to hear heartbeats from around 30ft away!
At Greenacres Animal Park, we are thrilled to introduce you to Bovril, our beloved Eurasian Eagle Owl. Bovril was hand-reared right here at the park and has become a cherished member of our wildlife family.
Range
The Eurasian Eagle Owl can be found across Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa, typically inhabiting forests, mountains, and rocky cliff areas. They are sometimes spotted in the UK, although generally these sightings are migrants from mainland Europe and not residents.
Diet
Eurasian Eagle Owls are formidable hunters, preying on small mammals, birds, and even fish, with a wingspan of over 6 feet!
Lifespan
These owls can live up to 20 years in the wild and even longer in captivity under proper care reaching 60-80 years!
Conservation Status
Despite their impressive size and strength, Eurasian Eagle Owls face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and illegal hunting. We are committed to raising awareness about their conservation and supporting efforts to protect these magnificent birds.
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Eagle Owls are known for their silent flight, thanks to specialised feathers that muffle sound. These majestic birds play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of rodents and small mammals.
- An owls eyes are very large meaning they are stuck in place, called a 'fixed socket'. This is why owls are able to move their heads much further than we can, although it is a myth they can spin their heads 360 degrees which their limit being around 270 degrees or 3/4 of the way round!
- Eagle owls have feathers on the top of their heads. These are called ear tufts and yhey act like their eyebrows and are able to move due to them being connected to muscles in their head. These can tell us about how they are feeling; if they are flat on their head it can indicate they are relaxed or content, in contrast if they are seen to be upright it can indicate that the owl has seen something, alert or curious.
Plan Your Visit to Greenacres Animal Park
Ready to meet Bovril and explore our wildlife encounters? Book your animal adventure today and create lasting memories with our amazing European Eagle Owl.