Verreaux's Eagle-owl
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| Verreaux's Eagle Owl | ||||||||||||||
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| Bubo lacteus Temminck, 1820 |
Verreaux's Eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus (also known as the Milky Eagle Owl), is a member of the family Strigidae and is the largest African owl and.This is owl is claimed to be the world's third largest owl; althought it weighs more then the Blakiston's Fish owl and the Eurasian Eagle Owl on average though it might lag behind in other measurments.
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[edit] Description
Verreaux's Eagle-owl ranges from 66–75 cm (26-30 in) in length. This species can attain a wingspan 2 m (6.5 ft) and a weight of 4 kg (9 lb), possibly making it the largest owl in the world. In appearance, they are distinguished by a whitish oval disk face with a black border, pink eyelids[2], orange eyes and two feather tufts on their ears. Their feathers are dark brown on top and light grey below.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
This owls are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, typically along forest streams and rivers, seldom above 2000 m (6500 feet).
[edit] Behaviour
They are nocturnal birds and roost in tall trees. They sleep lightly and will awaken very quickly to defend themselves from attack in daylight hours.
[edit] Food
They hunt in early evening. Full-grown owls feed on hares, mongoose and many other small game animals. They are one of the very few birds to feed on hedgehogs.[3] Near cities their prey include rats and pigeons.
[edit] Breeding
Breeding takes place from March to September.[4] The female lays two eggs and incubates them for thirty-eight days. She remains on the nest for the entire incubation period while the male hunts for food for both of them. The first egg to hatch is the first to be fed, and if food is not plentiful only the first one hatched will be fed. If food is abundant, both owlets will be fed. The chicks are ready to leave the nest at nine weeks but may remain with the parents for up to three months.
[edit] References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Bubo lacteus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ Animal Pictures Archive: Animal Photo Album
- ^ Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level IV: Large Carnivores - Verreaux’s Eagle Owl - Page 2
- ^ Verreaux's Eagle Owl
[edit] External links
- Verreaux's Eagle Owl videos on the Internet Bird Collection
