The Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo, is one of the most powerful owls in the world. It is
an inhabitant of Europe and Asia, and is a rarity in Great Britain. It is characterized by its very large size (26 to 28 inches long), the two tufts of feathers on its head and the large orange eyes. It is the largest of the European owls.
This cousin of the Great Horned Owl is rust brown above with dark brown mottling, pale below with longitudinal steaking and blurred crosswise markings.
It prefers to nest on cliffs, steep banks and in the abandoned nests of other large birds. Its prey includes rodents, hares, rabbits and large game birds. Despite its extensive range it is becoming increasingly rare and might be considered endangered.
There are eleven species of eagle owls, six of them are in Africa. Verreaux's Eagle Owl or the Giant Eagle Owl (Bubo lacteus) is 26 inches long and inhabits open wooded areas in the western and southern areas of Africa. Its round face is outlined with a black ring and it has large, dark eyes and fluffy ear tufts. Plumage is light gray below and dark brown above.
