Bengal eagle owl in flight - bubo bubo

            Size: Length: 58-71cm (22.8-28")
Weight: Female 2280-4200g (80.4-158oz) Male 1620-3000g (57.1-105.8oz)
Average Wing Length (one wing only): Female 47.8cm (18.8")  Male 44.8cm (17.6")

Habits: Active mainly at dusk to dawn. Flight is noiseless, with soft wingbeats interrupted by gliding when flying over long distance. Will sometimes soar. 

Voice: A deep, monotonous "oohu-oohu-oohu". The female's call is slightly higher than the male's. When threatened, they may bark and growl.

Hunting & Food: Eagle Owls have various hunting techniques, and will take prey on the ground or in full flight. They may hunt in forests, but prefer open spaces.
Eagle Owls will eat almost anything the moves - from beetles to roe deer fawns. The major part of their diet consists of mammals (Voles, rats, mice, foxes, hares etc...), but birds of all kinds are also taken, including crows, ducks, grouse, seabirds, and even other birds of prey (including other owls). Other prey taken include snakes, lizards, frogs, fish, and crabs.
The most common type of prey depends largely on relative availability, but are usually voles and rats. In some coastal areas, they have been known to feed mainly on ducks and seabirds.
Pellets are somewhat compressed, irregularly cylindrical or conical shaped, averaging about 75 x 32 mm (3 x 1.25").

Breeding: The Male and Female duet during courtship, the Male advertising potential breeding sites by scratching a shallow depression at the site and emitting staccato notes and clucking sounds. Favoured nest sites are sheltered cliff ledges, crevices between rocks and cave entrances in cliffs. They will also use abandoned nests of other large birds. If no such sites are available, they may nest on the ground between rocks, under fallen trunks, under a bush, or even at the base of a tree trunk. No nesting material is added. Often several potential depressions are offered to the female, who selects one; this is quite often used again in subsequent years. Very often pairs for life. They are territorial, but territories of neighbouring pairs may partly overlap.

Laying generally begins in late winter, sometimes later. One clutch per year of 1-4 white eggs are laid, measuring 56-73mm x 44.2- 53mm (2.2- 2.9" x 1.7- 2.1") and weighing 75- 80g (2.6- 2.8oz). They are normally laid at 3 days intervals and are incubated by the female alone, starting from the first egg, for 31-36 days. During this time, she is fed at the nest by her mate.
Once hatched, the young are brooded for about 2 weeks; the female stays with them at the nest for 4-5 weeks. For the first 2-3 weeks the male brings food to the nest or deposits it nearby, and the female feeds small pieces the young. At 3 weeks the chicks start to feed themselves and begin to swallow smaller items whole. At 5 weeks the young walk around the nesting area, and at 52 days are able to fly a few metres. They may leave ground nests as early as 22-25 days old, while elevated nests  are left at an age of 5-7 weeks.

Fledged young are cared for by both parents for about 20-24 weeks. They become independent between September and November in Europe, and leave the parents' territory (or are driven out by them). At this time the male begins to sing again and inspect potential future nesting sites.
Young reach maturity in the following year, but normally breed when 2-3 years old.

Mortality:  Eurasian or Bengal Eagle Owls may live more than 60 years in captivity. In the wild, about 20 years may be the maximum. They have no real natural enemies; electrocution, collision with traffic, and shooting are the main causes of death.

Habitat: Eagle Owls occupy a variety of habitats, from coniferous forests to warm deserts. Rocky landscapes are often favoured. Adequate food supply and nesting sites seem to be the most important prerequisites.

Distribution: North Africa, Europe, Asia, Middle East.

Taken on: March 16, 2010

Tags:

nature

wildlife

birds of prey

owls

eagle owls

bengal eagle owls

hawkgenes

SpecAnimal

bubo

ColorPhotoAward « less

Sets appears in: • Hawkgenes birds

Groups appears in: • Nikon Digital • Owls more » • Birds , Birds Birds • *I Love Birds* • Animal Addiction! *Post one, Comment one plse* • "A" Class (comment 2) Pls, Comment immediately. • Stunning Nikon • Color Photo Award - PREMIER -- Post 1: Award 2 • EarthShots.org Entries • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • SJohnson's Fauna PLEASE READ: surgery complete doing well • "Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST! (Post 1 Award 3)" • A Shot a Day ... Or So • The Worlds Best Nature, Wildlife, And Macro Photography • DEFENDER'S {Detailed nature} macro and close up. • Award Winner • *Best of Flickr* (Comment 1 / invite 2) PHOTOS ONLY • NaturePhotographs • Discovery Photos: Post 1, Vote for 3 • Beautiful Mother Nature • Beautiful Birds • Gold Star Awards Level 1 (1P/3C) • ♥ANIMALS ♥ • flickr photo group • Stock Shot • DIGIFOTO Pro • "Unlimited Photos: No Rules" • Nature at Her Best! - ONE Comment Please - NO frames • All in 1 • "One Earth, One Home (Nature Photos)" (Unlimited Posting - Awa • Birds of all sorts. • Birds of all sorts - Calendar competition. • -Spirit Of Photography • **ALL KINDS OF BEAUTY** (Moderated! NO MODELS!) • ANIMAL EDEN ϟ ✈ ╭ Ψ ╬♥╬ Ψ ϟ • Beautiful Shot (P1/A5) 25,100+ members!!! • All birds all the time • 1on1avian NEVER EVER more than 1 in a row EVER! Comment on ANY • Nature's Pot-of-Gold • "IQ" - Image Quality • ``SetSeeker • World Nature and Wildlife HALL OF FAME P1/C4 • !WORLD OF ANIMALS! (Post 1 and Comment 1 or more) • Nikon flickr Award (Post 1 - Award 3) • Top 20 Birds • ***Ineffable*** Award 3 • Elite Photography (Post 1 Award 2 Fave 1) • * ALL KINDS OF MACROS & CLOSE-UPS (POST 1~AWARD 1) • Avian Photography • Bienvenidos todos los recuerdos / All Memories Welcome • Birds Birds Birds ! (Check out the new discussion) • Best Wildlife Photos -Animals,Insects!(NO PEOPLE/PET/BUILDINGS) • *Earth's Natural Photography* • Wildlife & Nature Worldwide (Post 1, comment 2) • !Addicted to Nature!(Post 2-Award 3)Sweeper Active • The Light Painters Society • NATURE'S PRIME (P1/A4) • The NEW Flickr. "BEST" picts.!! • Wildlife Award - Post 1, Award 2 • "Quality Only" Bird Club • Perfect birds foto • Opportunità (P1-C3) • Wir lieben Tiere/We love animals • Scenics & Wilderness (Admin Invite Only) • **Cool Shot** - P1/A4 - Very Cool Indeed - • Amazing Image [Framed] • ☼ The Best of Wildlife & Nature ☼ « less

Camera: Nikon D300, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, 230mm (=345mm), ISO 640 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D300
Lens:	80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6
Aperture:	f/6.3
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/2000)
Focal Length:	230mm (35mm equivalent: 345mm)
ISO:	640
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Contrast:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Unknown (-1)
Software:	picnik.com
Show full info

Stats: 27,254 views / 248 comments

go back