Verreaux's Eagle-owl

Taxobox


image_width = 275 px
name = Verreaux's Eagle Owl
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
status_ref = [ IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=48534|title=Bubo lacteus|downloaded=11 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Strigiformes
familia = Strigidae
genus = " Bubo"
species = "B. lacteus"
binomial = "Bubo lacteus"
binomial_authority = 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. This owl is claimed to be the world's third largest owl; after the Blakiston's Fish Owl and Eurasian Eagle Owl.

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 weighs from 1600 to 3115 grams (equal to 3.5 to 7 pounds) [http://www.owls.org/Species/bubo/verreauxs_eagle_owl.htm] . In appearance, they are distinguished by a whitish oval disk face with a black border, pink eyelids [ [http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/view.php?tid=1&did=61996 Animal Pictures Archive: Animal Photo Album ] ] , orange eyes and two feather tufts on their ears. Their feathers are dark brown on top and light grey below.

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.

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. [ [http://www.sensesofwildness.com/africa/2_5/05_02.HTM Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level IV: Large Carnivores - Verreaux’s Eagle Owl - Page 2 ] ] Near cities their prey include rats and pigeons.

Breeding

Breeding takes place from March to September. [ [http://www.owls.org/Species/bubo/verreauxs_eagle_owl.htm Verreaux's Eagle Owl ] ] 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.

References

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=2641 Verreaux's Eagle Owl videos] on the Internet Bird Collection