Bubo bubo
Interesting facts: The up to 75 cm large eagle owl is also known sometimes as “King of the Night” due to its size. It hunts mid-sized birds and mammals such as hares or even fawns, mainly in twilight or during the night. Its “enemies” are power lines, cars and trains. Its breeding area is rocky ground. In plane terrain, the eagle owl uses present eyries or breeds on the ground. The monogamic living bird is very sensitive to disturbance of the breeding place. Historically, the eagle owl was used to hunt birds of prey and crows. In captivity, eagle owls can get to up to 60 years of age.
Characteristics: Distinctive due to its size: the biggest owl in Europe; bark coloured plumage, the underside with distinct stripes, head with pronounced feather ears and large orange eyes; feet strong with mighty claws
Body length: Longer than 30 cm (longer than a blackbird)
Distribution: Largely forested regions of the midrange mountains and the Alps, preferably with rocks and steep rock faces, at times also in the lowlands with rocky areas