Eurasian Eagle-Owl

The Eurasian eagle-owl is an exceptionally large owl distributed through North Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, reaching the far north of Siberia. It can occupy coniferous forest, warm desert, mountain country, riverbeds, farmland, and grassland, but rocky landscapes provide particularly important nesting places. Its prominent ear tufts, orange eyes, and heavily patterned brown, black, buff, gray, and white plumage are distinctive. Adults measure 58–71 cm, span 1.5–2 m, and weigh 1.6–4.2 kg. (Animal Diversity Web)

This powerful nocturnal predator consumes a wide assortment of vertebrate and invertebrate prey, with the exact diet varying according to local availability. Indigestible hair, feathers, and bones are later expelled as pellets. Adults are normally solitary but establish enduring pair bonds, communicating with calls around potential nesting sites. Nests may occupy rocky crevices, sheltered cliff ledges, cave entrances, or abandoned large-bird nests. One annual clutch of one to four white eggs is typical, with three eggs reported as the average. (Animal Diversity Web)