Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Bubo bubo (Linnaeus, 1758)

2018-12-28 Tyumen region, Tyumen	© Anastasia Lozovskaya

Description

Background color of adult Eagle Owls is very variable from dark-rusty dense black-brown mottled to pale-buff or almost creamy-white with rare isolated spots. Head is dark streaked above. Feathers of shoulders are with dark tips and marble same-color pattern on base of feathers; its outer webs often are with large white spots which formed character mottling on the back of Eagle-Owl. Wing is broad and short, its tip is formed by 3-5 primaries with dark tips. Borders of outer webs of 1-3 primaries are barbed, second and third primaries are barbed only in narrowed terminal part. Tail is slightly rounded; tail feathers are with very variable cross-pattern. Facial disc is expressed only in bottom part. Breast is black and brown longitudinal streaked. Flacks and belly have character cross-pattern which is different in each geographical races. Tarsus and toes are full feathered. Eyes are orange-red, bill and claws are black. Females are larger than males. Young birds have variable background color - from orange-buff to pale-buff, with narrow cross-strips; throat is white; above the eyes there are two dark patches. Tail and flight feathers are colored as on adults, and not changed in first autumn moulting.

References