The eagle owl is the world’s largest owl species with a wing span of up to 2 metres!
The eagle owl is the world’s largest owl species with a wing span of up to 2 metres! It lives in the wild all over mainland Europe favouring habitats that feature rocky cliffs, ravines and outcrops for nesting alongside woodland for hunting.
This large owl has striking orange eyes, tawny feathers and tufts on the head. These are not ears but may have a role in display and attracting a mate. This nocturnal owl has excellent night vision and hearing for catching prey at night. They eat rodents and rabbits but can also occasionally take young deer.
The Eagle Owl was once native to the UK but was hunted to extinction around 300 years ago. A small number of resident breeding pairs have been recorded in the north of England in recent years, and it is believed their numbers may be increasing. Whilst some conservation groups hope to see the owl reintroduced to the UK there is some opposition for to fears for livestock and the impact on other resident birds of prey.