Athene  -  my pet  -  A European Eagle Owl
(Bubo Bubo)

Athene - Flying


Athene, my pet owl, is 4½ years old.  She is a European Eagle Owl, the world's largest species of owl, and an extremely powerful bird.

The full Taxonomic Classification of the European Eagle Owl is :-

Class   : Aves
Order   : Strigiformes
Family  : Strigidae
Species : Bubo Bubo
An average, fully grown male specimen would tip the scales at :-
Body Length : 68cm    2ft  3in
Wingspan    : 1.5m    4ft 10in
Weight      : 2.7kg   6lbs

Athene - Standing at Post

In forested areas of Northern Europe, which are typically inhabited by a number of species of birds of prey, there is often animosity between species. Here the in the UK, the Goshawk and the European Eagle Owl are probably the most murderous!

The European Eagle Owl is even known to tackle, quite successfully, raptors as large and swift as the Peregrine Falcon!

The European Eagle Owl is the largest species of owl in the world. In captivity, with access to medical care, regular food and, of course, no threat from predators or humans they may enjoy a life expectancy well in excess of 40 years.

Based on observations in the wild, those birds who survive the first year may expect to live for a total of 12-15 years.

Athene - Staring Eyes

Range

The European Eagle Owl is quite a common bird throughout North Africa, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and into even into parts of Russia.

Its preferred habitat is coniferous forest, where it is most adept at navigating between the trees in very subdued light!

Diet

The European Eagle Owl is, by virtue of its size and strength, well up in the food chain. From preference they hunt at dusk and dawn for small animals such as mice, rats, voles, rabbits, snakes, lizards, frogs, fish, birds, even species as large as the capercaillie a 10lb grouse) and large insects.

Nesting

It nests at various altitudes from lowlands to mountainous regions usually where there are rocky crags and cliffs, woodland or cultivated areas. It lays a single clutch of 1 to 5 eggs, more usually 2 or 3, which are laid at intervals of 3 or 4 days and incubated by the female for 34 to 36 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and leave the nest after 6 to 10 weeks.

Identification

Tawny-Brown upper body with Dark Brown markings, Tawny lower parts with Black streaks. There are distinctive tufts on the ears and the eyes are Orange. The female is larger and deadlier than the male.

Click here for  More Pictures  of Athene in action.