Advertisements What66 - 71/1.6 - 4 centimetre(s) The European race of the eagle owl (Bubo bubo) is the world's largest owl with an average length of 66-71 cm (26-28 in), a weight of 1.6-4 kg (3 lb 8 oz - 8 lb 13 oz) and a wingspan of more than 1.5 m (5 ft). It has been known to abduct small cats and other animals.Advertisements All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. (You will need to register / login for access) Comments below may relate to previous holders of this record. Misfit Animals is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn More.
There are more than 225 owl species in the world, some large and some small. But what are the biggest owl species in the world? Each owl has its own unique characteristics and features. In this article, we will take a closer look at the largest owl species in the world, explain how big they really are, and discuss their most prominent features. 1. Blakiston’s Fish Owl
HabitatBlakiston’s fish owls lives in riparian forests which have rivers running through them. There are few of these forests left. This owl is not named after the Blakiston fish owl, but it does run near the Blakiston valley where these magnificent owls reside.[1] Blakiston fish owls are considered to be an endangered species, hence the habitat of Blakiston fish owls is protected and preserved. They can travel along rivers to find new areas to live or places where they can hunt. Appearance
2. Eurasian Eagle Owl
HabitatEurasian Eagle Owls live high in Eurasia, from Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia all the way to northern Mongolia. Eurasian Eagle Owls adapt easily to different habitats. This makes them extremely flexible when it comes to living arrangements.[2] The owl prefers open habitats with scattered small pockets of trees. Eurasian Eagle Owls live in open fields and lightly wooded forests. It should also be noted that Eurasian Eagle Owls need many perches to rest on throughout the day. Appearance
3. Great Grey Owl
HabitatGreat Grey Owls live in habitats of dense forests, typically pine and fir. These forests typically have a small opening or meadow nearby where they hunt.[3] They have been recorded creating nests in large tree cavities and on the tops of cliffs. Though Great grey owls have been found breeding in the same nesting sites year after year, they often move their nests over time. Appearance
4. Snowy Owl
HabitatSnowy Owls are most commonly found inhabiting the Arctic tundra, barren coastal cliffs, and islands. They also inhabit the taiga forest and alpine meadows. They especially prefer regions high in latitude, altitude, and/or open terrain where they can hunt for large prey like lemmings.[4] Due to their white color, they blend in perfectly in snow, allowing them to sneak up on prey without being detected. These owls are mostly solitary birds, although they will congregate during the breeding season around favorable hunting areas. They nest on the ground or on cliffs and lay 3-11 eggs per mating season, which they incubate for about five weeks. Appearance
5. Great Horned Owl
HabitatThe Great Horned Owl is widespread and can be found almost anywhere that is warm enough for them to survive in the Americas. The habitats of these birds vary from anything between deserts and mountain ranges, all the way down to coastal regions and swamps. This owl adapts itself depending on the location where it is found. In colder climates such as Canada and the Northern United States, these owls tend to be bigger and bulkier than their southern counterparts. Appearance
ConclusionThe biggest owls in the world are the Blakiston’s fish owl, Eurasian eagle-owl, great grey owl, snowy owl, and great horned owl. These are all large owls, known for preying on larger animals by taking advantage of their size and strength. |