This eagle owl mainly feeds on small mammals in the 200–2,000 g (0.44–4.4 lb) weight range, such as voles, rats, mice, rabbitsand hares. However, prey can be killed up to the size of both fully-grown foxes and marmots and young deer (up to a mass of 17 kg (37 lb)), if taken by surprise.
In central Europe, hedgehogs are often a favorite prey item, being eaten after the owl skins off their prickily backs. Eagle owls may habitually visit refuse dumps to predate rats. The other significant group of prey for Eurasian Eagle Owls is other birds and almost any type of bird is potential prey. Common avian prey includes corvids, grouse, woodpeckers, heronsand, especially near coastal areas, ducks, seabirds and geese. Other raptors, including large species such as Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis), Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) and the largest buzzards, are regularly predated as well as almost any other type of owl encountered. When there is an opportunity, they will also prey on reptiles, including large and venomous snakes, frogs, fish and even large insects and earthworms.
Hunting usually consist of the owl watching from a perch for prey activity and then swooping down swiftly once prey is spotted. The prey is often killed quickly by the eagle owl's powerful talons though is sometimes bitten on the head to be killed as well. Then the prey item is carried off to be swallowed whole or torn into pieces with the bill. Occasionally, they may capture other birds on the wing, including nocturnal migrants which are intercepted in mid-flight. Larger prey (over 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)) is consumed on the ground which leaves the owl vulnerable to loss of their prey or even predation by predators such as foxes. The dietary preferences of the species frequently overlap with the larger Golden Eagle but direct competition is uncommon due to differing times of activity between the species.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, You didn't think I did it, lol. I did take the picture.
Very good info and a WONDERFUL picture.... could it be better....don't think so Bob.
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING.......JUST STUNNING.
ReplyDeletePETER
Vaya preciosidad de buho,saludos
ReplyDeleteMerci ce grand duc est tellement grand sa beauté et ta photo incroyable
ReplyDeleteMais si je dois partir en Asie pour le rencontrer je vais avoir du trajet
Bravo et encore bravo pour cette si belle prise
C'est génial
Beautiful photo, of a whole beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteGr cees
Hi Bob! You and Wikipedia compliment each other perfectly! :-)
ReplyDeletePerfect! Incredible beauty!
ReplyDeleteAleż one są łakomczuchami, tyle jedzą. Cudowne zdjęcie. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteThey have a lot of munu. Wonderful picture. Yours.
such beautiful feathering! wow!
ReplyDeletewouw wat een blik dat kan alleen een uil maar
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning, a beautiful creature. Excellent photo Bob.
ReplyDeleteLovely portrait Bob. Oh for a wild one of these to see in Kent.
ReplyDeleteGood picture and very good explanation and good weekend Bob:))
ReplyDeletea hug.
Wow, that is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGroetjes Tinie
Very nice picture Bob. Beautiful bird and intereting info.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photo, Bob. Thanks for adding the description. :)
ReplyDeleteMagnificent. Those eyes are jewels. Owls are so fascinating to me...so mystical. Last night I went to bed to the song of and owl (not sure which...but one of the big ones) and they always start their evening call this time of year. I had just watched a "Duckumentary" on the Nature channel and this was the final sugar to my nightcap.
ReplyDeleteamazing photos! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWat een prachtige ogen en de hele foto is schitterend lieve groetjes Danielle
ReplyDeleteMagnifica toma de este precioso Buho real.Saludos
ReplyDeleteOh gigantic picture Bob!!!
ReplyDeleteNice evening
Crissi
A beautiful bird very well captured. ..
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfectly beautiful and stunning image, Bob. Those ideas are amazing and the detail you captured.. unbelievable! Wow.
ReplyDeleteImpresionante foto le has hecho a esta realeza de la noche, felicidades.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Eye to eye.. Superb picture.. Congrat Bob.. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh Bob!What a beautiful picture!I love Owls!Here in the forest i can hear them every night! Anazing shot!!(I adore Santanas songs!!)
ReplyDeleteDimi..
What a cool looking owl! Great shot and info Bob!
ReplyDeleteNitidez 10...magnifica, eres muy bueno Bob.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
what a MAGNIFICENT creature! Such an amazing photo, Bob
ReplyDeleteAloha !
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° >
> < 3 3 3 ( ' >
Wow, those eyes are so amazing! What a brilliant photo Bob!!
ReplyDeletemajestic owl
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Bob!
ReplyDeleteNicely captured Bob. I first met this bird on a training exercise here in the States. It's a large LARGE owl that can break a human's arm. It doesn't surprise me that they can get big rodents in those talons. The wingspan alone took my breath away!
ReplyDeleteAmazing portrait of this bird of prey.
ReplyDeletej'adore la teinte de son plumage
ReplyDeleteAmazing picture of the owl! And great information from wikipedia.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo !!!
ReplyDeleteA great shot...
The bird shot is stunning!
ReplyDeleteHello Bob,
ReplyDeleteowls are fascinating ... birds of the night or birds of the wisdom ... or they are mystic...
But think they are very interesting and beauty and this not only ecologically - also like on your photo ... esthetic and beautiful!
regards Senna
Well... sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. This is one of those times..:)
ReplyDeletePlain beautiful!
Very good information too.
Greetings
came back to say, congrats on your POTW!
ReplyDeletewow!
ReplyDeleteamazing portrait
he's magnificent
congrats on POTW :)
amazing photo wow!!!! congrats on POTW:-)
ReplyDelete