Eurasian Eagle Owl

Eurasian eagle owls are one of the largest species of owls in the world; while great gray owls have longer bodies and Blakiston’s fish owls are often heavier, Eurasian eagle owls have the largest wingspan. They are widespread throughout many parts of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Eagle owls prefer wooded habitats but are also found near grasslands, steppes, and urban areas. Similarly, while they primarily hunt small mammals, these impressive predators are also known to hunt woodpeckers, herons, reptiles, fish, and even other raptors. 

Eagle owls are also known for their strikingly-colored eyes, which are a vibrant orange. Interestingly, an owl’s eye color can indicate when it hunts. Generally, species with yellow or orange eyes are crepuscular, whereas species with dark brown eyes are more active at night. There are certainly exceptions to this rule, but it is still a good general indication. Although eagle owls aren’t native to North America, they are closely related to great horned owls, exhibiting similar coloration and feather tufts on top of their heads. 

Kokoro (F) Hatched: 2001 | Arrived: 2002

Kokoro was hatched in human care at the World Bird Sanctuary, in St. Louis, Missouri. We acquired her at the age of 1 year for our educational programs. Her name translates to “heart” or “spirit” in Japanese. She is one of our go-to birds for offsite outreach.