Eurasian Owl

The Eurasian Owl, also called the Eurasian Eagle-Owl is one of the largest owls in the world. Its wingspan can be as large as 2 meters and it easily averages 6 to 7 pounds in weight. When I think of the look of this owl it classically looks like the owl in the Secret Of Nimh that had it in for Mrs. Brisby. Yeah I went there, let’s move forward ha ha ha.

The Eurasian Owl has a wide range and multiple subspecies variations, basically it looks a little bit different from region to region. This is appropriate because this nocturnal hunter has a range that covers most of Europe, some of the Middle East, Russia, China and even gets as far as Japan.

Western folklore reveres the owl as a wise old sage who lives to give advice and scam little kids out out their Tootsie Pops. I would say that if you were a member of the animal kingdom or even a small pet owner in this owl’s habitat, it’s both a terror and an apex predator. This owl’s size puts it in a far more elite class than the typical barnyard variety that we are used to in the United States.

The Eurasian Owl will eat small mammals, rabbits and such. It also eats other birds. It will eat fish and dive bomb them if it can. Animals as large as a young deer have been carried off by this powerful carnivore, insects, reptiles, see what I mean when I say terror. Something this large with the power of flight only has to fear a larger bird, good luck with that one.

The Eurasian Owl nests in trees, caves, crevices and sometimes in holes on the ground. A female lays a clutch of 1-5 eggs and incubates them for 34-36 days. While this is going on the male keeps her nourished and continues to hunt for the both of them. The young can’t fly for the first couple of months and won’t begin leaving the nest for the first 6 months or so.

The next time you’re in Timbavati Wildlife Park stop by our waterfalls area and visit the Eurasian Owl.