Eurasian Eagle-Owl: Europe's Majestic Night Hunter

A majestic adult Eurasian Eagle-Owl, with large ear tufts and piercing orange eyes. — The Eurasian Eagle-Owl, the largest and most powerful nocturnal raptor in Europe, a silent master hunter.

The Undisputed Master of the Night

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) is undoubtedly the largest and most powerful nocturnal raptor across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This majestic owl, also known simply as the Eagle-Owl, embodies the raw power and stealth of nighttime wildlife with its imposing silhouette, distinctive ear tufts, and intense gaze.

Equipped with exceptional hearing and vision, along with virtually silent flight, it is a formidable hunter, capable of capturing a vast range of prey. Its presence across diverse ecosystems, from mountainous cliffs to forest edges, testifies to its incredible adaptability. The Eurasian Eagle-Owl has captivated civilizations for millennia, often associated with wisdom, mystery, and the power of the night.

Our Ornithologist's Advice

By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published September 17, 2025.

My personal tip: To attempt observing the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, prioritize calm evenings and the first hours of the night, especially in spring (breeding season) or late winter. Listen carefully for its characteristic call, a deep and powerful "hoo-hoo" that carries far. Look for cliffs, large quarries, or quiet wooded areas with rocky overhangs, where it likes to nest and roost. Discretion is key: a silent approach and the use of binoculars are essential to avoid disturbing it and to admire this incredible nocturnal predator.

Identifying the Eurasian Eagle-Owl: Key Features

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a large nocturnal raptor whose identification is relatively easy due to its size and unique characteristics.

Size: 23 to 28 inches (58 to 71 cm) in length. Females are generally slightly larger than males.
Weight: Males weigh from 3.3 to 6.2 lbs (1.5 to 2.8 kg), while females, being heavier, weigh from 4.8 to 9.3 lbs (2.2 to 4.2 kg). Exceptional individuals can reach nearly 11 lbs (5 kg).
Wingspan: Generally between 4.5 and 5.6 feet (1.38 and 1.70 meters).

Plumage: The plumage is mostly reddish-brown, heavily mottled and barred with black, dark brown, and beige, providing exceptional camouflage in its rocky or forested environment. The underparts are paler, with fine dark longitudinal streaks.

Ear Tufts: These are two large, prominent feather tufts on its head, very distinctive, giving it an intense expression and aiding in camouflage by breaking up the outline of its head.

Eyes: Its large eyes are a piercing, vivid orange, perfectly adapted for nocturnal vision.

Sexual Dimorphism: While plumage is similar between the sexes, the female is noticeably larger and heavier than the male.

Juveniles: Young eagle-owls resemble adults, but their plumage is softer and fluffier, with less developed ear tufts.

Beak and Talons: The beak is hooked and short, black in color. Its powerful legs are fully feathered down to the toes (feathered tarsi), ending in extremely strong and sharp grey-black talons.

Young Eurasian Eagle-Owls have softer plumage and less pronounced ear tufts.

Scientific Dimensions and Records

Characteristic	Male	Female	Record / Average
Length	23 – 26 inches (58 – 65 cm)	25 – 28 inches (63 – 71 cm)	23 – 28 inches (58 – 71 cm)
Weight	3.3 – 6.2 lbs (1.5 – 2.8 kg)	4.8 – 9.3 lbs (2.2 – 4.2 kg)	Up to 11 lbs (5 kg)
Wingspan	4.5 – 5.2 ft (138 – 160 cm)	4.9 – 5.6 ft (150 – 170 cm)	4.5 – 5.6 ft (1.38 – 1.70 m)
Lifespan	20–25 years	20–25 years	60+ years (in captivity)

The Call: A Powerful Huu-hou

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is known for its deep and resonant call, which is an essential part of its communication and nocturnal presence. Its hoot is a series of long, low-pitched "hoo-hoo" sounds, repeated at regular intervals, that can carry for several kilometers, especially in calm weather.

The male's call is generally deeper and more powerful than the female's, serving to mark territory and attract a mate. The female often responds with a similar, but higher-pitched, call. These vocal duets are more frequent during the breeding season (late winter, early spring). Juveniles, on the other hand, emit insistent whistling sounds to demand food.

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Behavior: The Silent Nocturnal Predator

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a solitary and territorial predator, primarily active from dusk to dawn. It is monogamous, and pairs often stay together for life, defending their vast territory which can include hunting grounds and preferred nesting sites.

Its hunting technique is remarkably effective. Thanks to its silent flight (made possible by special serrated-edged feathers), acute hearing, and exceptional night vision, it spots its prey in the dark. It swoops down with surprising speed, using its powerful talons to capture them. It is an opportunistic and highly adaptable hunter.

Its diet is one of the most varied among raptors. It feeds on a wide diversity of mammals (rabbits, hares, rats, hedgehogs, dormice, young foxes, and even small deer) and birds (crows, jackdaws, pigeons, ducks, jays, and sometimes other raptors like falcons). It also preys on reptiles, amphibians, and fish, demonstrating great flexibility based on available resources.

Breeding begins early in the year, often as early as February. The nest is usually a simple scrape on the ground, often on a cliff ledge, in a rock crevice, or under dense bushes for discretion. The female typically lays 2 to 4 eggs (sometimes up to 6), incubated mainly by the female for 31 to 36 days. Young owls leave the nest around 5 to 7 weeks but continue to be fed by their parents for several months, learning essential hunting techniques.

Habitat and Distribution

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl has a vast range that extends across much of Eurasia and North Africa. It is present from Western Europe to the Russian Far East, and from Scandinavia south to North Africa and the Middle East. Several subspecies are recognized, with slight variations in size and coloration depending on the region.

It is highly adaptable and occupies a wide diversity of habitats. It favors open rocky environments such as cliffs, gorges, quarries, steep mountains, but can also be found in forests (coniferous or mixed), agricultural areas with groves, and even sometimes on the outskirts of urban areas if there are quiet nesting sites and abundant prey. Access to water is also an important factor.

Unlike the Golden Eagle, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl is generally sedentary within its breeding territory. Only young populations may undertake dispersal movements to find new territories, and individuals from the northernmost regions may move to milder wintering areas.

Distribution Map

Conservation Status

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is classified as "Least Concern" (LC) on the IUCN Red List. This classification is due to its extremely vast range and a global population that, after historical declines, is now considered stable and recovering in many regions.

Historically persecuted due to its size and (often unfounded) reputation as a game predator, it was intensively hunted. However, strict protection measures, public awareness, and reintroduction in some areas have allowed its populations to gradually recover.

Current threats include habitat destruction (deforestation, urbanization), collisions with vehicles and power lines, indirect poisoning from rodenticides, and sometimes disturbance at nesting sites. However, its great adaptability and ability to colonize new habitats (like abandoned quarries) are assets for its long-term survival.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main characteristics of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl?

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) is a very large owl with prominent ear tufts, piercing orange eyes, and mottled brown plumage, providing excellent camouflage. It has an impressive wingspan of up to 1.70 meters (5.6 ft) and can weigh up to 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs), with females generally larger than males.

Where does the Eurasian Eagle-Owl live and what are its preferred habitats?

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl has a vast distribution, covering much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It prefers rocky environments, cliffs, mountains, quarries, but can also adapt to forests, agricultural areas, and even urban fringes if it finds quiet nesting sites and abundant prey.

What does the Eurasian Eagle-Owl mainly eat?

It is an opportunistic and powerful nocturnal hunter. Its diet is very varied, mainly including medium-sized mammals (rabbits, hares, rats, hedgehogs, young foxes) and a wide diversity of birds (crows, pigeons, ducks, and even other raptors). It also preys on reptiles, amphibians, and fish, showing great flexibility depending on available resources.

How does the Eurasian Eagle-Owl reproduce?

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is monogamous, and pairs often stay together for life. It typically builds its nest in sheltered spots on cliff ledges, in rock crevices, or sometimes on the ground in well-hidden locations. The female usually lays 2 to 4 eggs (sometimes more), incubated primarily by the female for about 31 to 36 days. Young owls leave the nest around 5 to 7 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for several months, learning essential hunting techniques.

What is the conservation status of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl?

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is classified as 'Least Concern' (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Its global population is stable, and its range is very vast. While it experienced local declines in the past, protection and reintroduction efforts have allowed its populations to stabilize and recover in many regions.