What kind of bird is the eagle owl (owl)? We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of animals. This horned owl, also known as the Eurasian eagle owl, is widely distributed across the Eurasian continent, with large numbers living mainly in Asia. In this article, I will explain what kind of characteristics it has.
What is a eagle owl? About basic status
The eagle owl is a bird classified in the genus Owlidae of the order Owlidae. The body length is 58 – 71cm and the weight is 1,500 – 1,800g. The British name is owl, the scientific name is Bubo bubo, and the kanji is Washiki 菟. It has another name: Eurasian eagle owl. The list of information is as follows:
| Japanese（和名） | ワシミミズク |
| English（英名） | Eurasian eagle owl |
| scientific name(学名) | Bubo bubo |
| classification（分類） | Ave、Strigiformes、 Strigidae、Bubo 鳥綱、フクロウ目、フクロウ科、ワシミミズク属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 58 – 71cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1,500 – 1,800g |
About classification
The eagle owl is classified as a member of the genus Eagle Owl, but there are many subspecies. The following is a quote from Wikipedia. Let’s look into it when you have time.
| Scientific name（学名） | Habit(生息地) |
| Bubo bubo bubo | Scandinavian Peninsula/Western Russia to France スカンジナビア半島・ロシア西部からフランス |
| Bubo bubo borissowi | Sakhalin, Kuril Islands サハリン、千島列島 |
| Bubo bubo hemachalanus | Western Tibet, Western Himalayas チベット西部、ヒマラヤ西部 |
| Bubo bubo hispanus | iberian peninsula イベリア半島 |
| Bubo bubo interpositus | Southern Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania to Türkiye ウクライナ南部・ブルガリア・ルーマニアからトルコ |
| Bubo bubo jakutensis | From north-central Siberia to northeastern Siberia シベリア中北部からシベリア北東部 |
| Bubo bubo kiautschensis | East of the People’s Republic of China, Korean Peninsula. There are examples of them flying to Amami Oshima, Miyakejima, and the Goto Islands. 中華人民共和国東部、朝鮮半島。奄美大島、三宅島、五島列島に飛来した例がある |
| Bubo bubo nikolskii | From eastern Iraq to western Pakistan イラク東部からパキスタン西部にかけて |
| Bubo bubo omissus | From northeastern Iran to Turkmenistan and western China イラン北東部からトルクメニスタン・中華人民共和国西部にかけて |
| Bubo bubo ruthenus | Europe Central, southern and eastern Russia ヨーロッパロシア中部・南部および東部 |
| Bubo bubo sibiricus | From the Ural Mountains to western and southwestern Siberia ウラル山脈からシベリア西部および南西部 |
| Bubo bubo tarimensis | Western Republic of China 中華人民共和国西部 |
| Bubo bubo tibetanus | Tibetan Plateau チベット高原 |
| Bubo bubo turcomanus | From Kazakhstan to western China and western Mongolia カザフスタンから中華人民共和国西部・モンゴル西部 |
| Bubo bubo ussuriensis | From eastern Mongolia and southeastern Siberia to northeastern China and eastern Siberia モンゴル東部・シベリア南東部から中華人民共和国北東部・シベリア東部にかけて |
| Bubo bubo yenisseensis | Northern Mongolia, central Siberia モンゴル北部、シベリア中部 |
About habitat
Its habitat is distributed across the Eurasian continent, including central Asia.
- Distribution
A large owl with a wide distribution
Throughout Europe (southern Scandinavia to southern Europe)
Asia (Siberia, Mongolia, China, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of Japan)
Also found in the Middle East and North Africa
One of the most widely distributed owls in the world
- Habitat
Forests (coniferous and broadleaf forests)
Mountainous areas, rocky areas, and cliffs
Also found in open areas around grasslands and farmland
Prefers areas with an abundance of birds and small mammals
- Nests/Hiding Places
Nests in rock crevices, tree holes, and cliff depressions
More often nests on the ground or in rocky areas than in trees
In winter, they rest in tree holes or rocky shade to avoid snow and cold
- Climate/Environmental Adaptation
Adapted to a wide range of climates from temperate to subarctic
Can live in high altitudes and cold regions
Avoids tropical rainforests and extremely dry deserts
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Eagle owls tend to live as resident birds in woodlands, large forests, rocky areas, and moors. They often rest during the day, but at night they move their bodies and begin hunting. In nature, they attack small animals by flapping their wide wings slowly and silently, so their prey does not notice. The plumage is reddish-tan or cream-colored, with irregular stripes and spots all over.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Shape/Size
One of the world’s largest owls
Body Length: Approximately 60-75cm, Wingspan: Approximately 160-188cm
Weight: Approximately 2-4kg (varies by individual)
Face/Ear Feathers
Distinct “ear feathers” (standing tufts on both sides of the head)
Round face, large eyes, and highly developed night vision
Feathers/Body Color
Brown or gray back with black spots
Light-colored underside with stripes
Camouflage coloring for nighttime hunting
- Personality/Behavior
Nocturnal and crepuscular, primarily active at night
Timid but highly territorial
Behaves cautiously when encountering humans or large predators
Highly skilled hunting ability and excellent predators
As a bird of prey, it has excellent flying ability, sharp claws, and a beak
- Biology & Abilities
Diet: Carnivorous
Also prey on birds, small mammals (rats, rabbits, squirrels, etc.), and reptiles
Flight
Flying silently, making it difficult for prey to detect them
Reproduction
They build nests in tree holes or rock crevices, laying 1-4 eggs
Chicks are often raised by both parents
- Special Abilities
Highly developed night vision and hearing
Can accurately capture prey even in the dark
Quiet flight noise
Their feather structure allows them to approach prey undetected
What is your personality like?
Eagle owls are very friendly birds, so some people actually keep them in captivity. However, he is not the type who will play with you, so he prefers to keep a reasonable distance from you.
Personality Traits of the Great Horned Owl
Timid and cautious
Very cautious around humans and large animals
If they sense danger, they will immediately flee or hide
Strongly territorial
Can be aggressive toward other individuals during breeding and hunting seasons
Uses their large bodies and powerful claws to defend their territory
Highly independent
Primarily solitary
Does not form groups except during breeding seasons, and lives mainly within its own hunting area
Excellent patience and observation skills
When hunting prey, they will wait and observe for long periods of time
Approach quietly and without making any noise when flying
Moderately curious
Observes their surroundings within limits that do not pose a threat to themselves
Wary of humans and new environments
What is the ecology like?
Eagle owls subsist on wild rodents, mammals, reptiles, and bird species such as herons, buzzards, and other owls. The form of coexistence is oviparous. They lay eggs from March to May. Lifespan is 15 to 30 years.
- Living Environment
Habitat: Forests, mountains, rocky areas, grasslands, etc. of Europe, Asia, and North Africa
Uses tree holes and rock depressions as nests and hideouts
Active not only in forests but also in open grasslands and around farmland
- Behavior
Nocturnal/Crepuscular
Mainly active from dusk to night
Rests in nests or in the shade of rocks during the day
Primarily solitary
Does not interact with others except during breeding season
Hunting Method
Approaches prey by quietly jumping down from tall trees or rocks
Waits quietly for long periods, observing its movements and then preying
- Diet
Carnivorous (predator)
Mainly preys on birds, small mammals (such as mice, rabbits, and squirrels), reptiles, and amphibians
Once caught, kills prey with its sharp claws and beak
Often captures prey near nests or in flight
- Breeding
Breeding Season: Spring (February–April depending on the region)
Eggs: 1–4
Nesting: Natural hideouts such as tree holes, rock crevices, and cliffs
Both parents often raise their chicks, and the young learn flight and hunting skills under their care.
Are there any natural enemies?
Eagle owls have no particular natural enemies. If I had to say it, it would be human.
About baby eagle owls
This article provides detailed information about baby eagle owls (Bubo bubo).
- Appearance and Characteristics
Immediately after birth, they are covered in soft white to cream-colored down.
Their eyes are open, but their vision is not yet fully developed.
Their beaks and claws are small, and their flight feathers are underdeveloped.
They weigh approximately 80-120g, and their weight increases rapidly as they grow.
- Behavioral Ability
They are unable to leave the nest on their own immediately after birth and remain protected within the nest.
They begin practicing flapping and flight after a few weeks.
They observe their parents’ hunting habits and learn foraging techniques and vigilance behaviors.
- Diet and Growth
For the first few weeks after birth, they rely on their parents for food (captured small animals and birds).
At 2-3 weeks, they gradually begin to learn to catch food on their own.
At approximately 6-8 weeks, they develop flight ability and are able to leave the nest.
During their development, they acquire nocturnal hunting behaviors and hiding habits.
- Sociality
Young animals spend their time with their parents and siblings within the nest.
They have little contact with other individuals, so learning from their mother and father is key to their survival.
Light playful interactions between siblings also serve as practice for hunting and attacking.
- Defense and Safety
Hiding within the nest is essential to avoid predators.
Because their feathers are soft and they are unable to fly, parental protection is essential.
Is the eagle owl an endangered species?
Overall, the eagle owl is very stable. However, some subspecies are listed as endangered species. Environmental destruction caused by humans has become the greatest threat.
- IUCN Assessment
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the Great Horned Owl as “Least Concern (LC).”
This indicates that the species is currently at low risk of extinction and its population is relatively stable.
- Population Status
Widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and North Africa
Adapted to a variety of environments, including forests, rocky areas, mountains, and grasslands
While there are localized declines in some areas, the population is stable globally.
- Major Threats
Habitat Destruction
Deforestation, agricultural development, and urbanization
Human Persecution
May be exterminated as part of wildlife control measures
Traffic accidents and collisions with power lines
Food shortages
Decreases in the number of small mammals and birds that serve as prey
- Conservation Status
Hunting and capture are restricted in many countries.
Habitat conservation is important, and protection of nests and rocky areas, especially during the breeding season, is recommended.
Can eagle owls be kept as pets?
Eagle owls can be kept as pets. You can raise them if you have food, perches, cages, etc., but the problem is the price. If you keep a pet at a pet shop, the price can range from 400,000 yen to over 1,000,000 yen in Japanese yen, so it’s not cheap.
Food is a special food
As the staple food for eagle owls, we recommend special food that can be purchased at specialty stores. If you don’t hold it with a pin, it may think your hand is food and bite it.
Cages are made to order
We recommend that the cage be made to order. Eagle owls are very large and life can be quite stressful if they don’t have a decent amount of space. It’s best if you can also sunbathe.
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