Meet Our Eurasian Eagle Owl

Eurasian Eagle Owl are a large species of owl, they are second largest next to the Blakistons Fishing Owl. They have impressive talons on their feet, these are considered to be longer than Leopards claws and are very sharp, hunting with these makes it easy to catch their prey. They are also able to hear heart beats from around 30 foot away, they can hear a small mouses heartbeat from that distance and it allows them to locate their prey better.

At Greenacres Animal Park, we are thrilled to introduce you to Bovril, our beloved European 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, known scientifically as Bubo bubo, is the second largest owl species in the world. These magnificent birds can be found across Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa, typically inhabiting forests, mountains, and rocky cliff areas.

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, this is why owls are able to move their heads much further than we can, this allows they to have a greater field of view.
  • Eurasian Eagle owls have feathers on the top of their heads, these are called ear tufts, they 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.