Eagle owl
The second largest owl ·
Among the 31 species of owls distributed in China, the eagle owl is the second largest, and the largest is the woolly-legged owl distributed in Northeast Asia. The Eagle Owl is the second largest owl after it and the largest in the Beijing area. Eagle owl is distributed in most parts of China, and the mountainous hilly areas in the north and northwest are more common.
Night Killer ·
Bubo bubo is about 58-70 cm long and weighs about 1500-4500 g, with females slightly larger than males. They have a pronounced face disc and distinct "ear feathers", and are brownish-yellow in color with distinct brownish lines. Eagle owl in beijing enter the breeding period in early spring and February every year, and the female will produce 1-4 eggs, and after about 35 days of incubation, the chicks will emerge from the shell. The female is responsible for incubation and feeding of the chicks throughout the incubation process. During the incubation period, the male is responsible for the food supply and vigilance of the mate and the young bird to protect the food and safety of the female and young birds.
Eagle owl activity peaks in the morning and evening, mainly through hearing and vision to locate and catch prey, inter-woodland activity of rodents is their main food. Although rodents make up a larger proportion of their diets, mountain-dwelling ring-necked pheasants, grass rabbits, rock pigeons, mallard ducks, and even sub-adult red foxes will prey on them if given the chance. Eagle owl have a common name "hate fox", in fact, it is not hate red fox, but their name is "hen-hu, hen-hu", which comes from this.
Eagle Owl Distribution Map Picture from the network
Because eagle owls have excellent nocturnal ability and fly quietly, they have an advantage in hunting at night, and even some small and medium-sized birds of prey such as ordinary birds of prey, sparrowhawks, peregrine falcons and other species of owls will be hunted by it to become a plate meal. Similarly, owls are at a relative disadvantage during the day, while those hunters such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and goshawks that are restricted at night will attack and kill eagle owls, and will also eat them as food.
Eagle owl in different cultures ·
In the traditional cultural atmosphere of our country, the owl has been given an ominous and unlucky notoriety, which was extremely disliked by people in the past, and with the popularization of science and popular science culture, this phenomenon has been greatly improved. In fact, in some ethnic minority areas, owls are people's favorite wild animals, China's Xinjiang Tajik people regard owls as animals with magical natural powers, local hats have owls feathers as decorations, both divine protection and brave and mighty meaning.
In the classical mythology of European countries, owls represent the intelligent power of insight, and usually they are the embodiment of wisdom and prophecy. Although the situation of many wild animals has been improved in the context of today's era of general increased awareness of social protection, owls, including eagle owls, are still deeply affected by environmental pollution, rat poisoning, car accidents and other problems, and more of their natural history also needs our further knowledge and understanding.
Author, Photographer: Zhang Tongtong
Editor, Proofreader: Wei Yao