
It is one of the largest species of owl, and females can grow to a total length of 75 cm (30 in), with a wingspan of 188 cm (6 ft 2 in), with males being slightly smaller.
Eagle-owl is smaller than the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), but larger than the snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus).
Eagle Owls are distributed sparsely through rocky areas but can potentially inhabit a wide range of habitats. They have been found in habitats as diverse as Northern coniferous forests and the edge of vast deserts.
The Eurasian Eagle Owl is largely nocturnal in activity, as are most owl species. The call of the Eagle Owl is a deep resonant ooh-hu with emphasis on the first syllable for the male, and a more high-pitched uh-Hu for the female. Each member of an Eagle Owl population can be identified by means of its vocalizations.
https://ebird.org/species/eueowl1
This eagle owl mainly feeds on small mammals voles, rats, mice, rabbits and hares. However, prey can be killed up to the size of both fully-grown foxes and marmots and young deer.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, herons and, especially near coastal areas, ducks, seabirds and geese.
This species usually nests on cliff ledges, crevices and caves. Occasionally, they may also take over a bird nest made by a large bird such as common raven (Corvus corax) or golden eagle. Laying generally begins in late winter, sometimes later. One clutch per year of 1-6 white eggs are laid, measuring 56-73mm x 44.2- 53mm (2.2- 2.9" x 1.7- 2.1") and weighing 75- 80 g (2.6- 2.8 oz). They are normally laid at 3 days intervals and are incubated by the female alone, starting from the first egg, for 31–36 days. During this time, she is fed at the nest by her mate.
More info
https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/21659
Eagle Owl in Estonia
The Eagle Owl is one of the most endangered bird species in Estonia. The population of 30-50 breeding pairs was estimated in 2019. It inhabits mostly the coastal areas of Estonia. In 2021, only four chicks were found in Estonian known nesting sites. Two out of four juveniles died before the winter.
Eagle owls are wintering in Estonia
Info about this nest in English: https://www.kotkas.ee/uudised/eagle-owl ... amera-2022
Link to the webcam will be found here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvBXT ... Saqd19N0Sg or
www.youtube.com/kotkaklubi
Videos by Kotkaklubi
Male and female
Male