The Eagle Owl is a large and powerful bird. It mainly feeds on small mammals, but can kill prey up to the size of foxes and young deer, if taken by surprise. Larger prey is consumed on the ground which leaves the bird vulnerable (for example to foxes). It is said to be routinely able to swallow a hedgehog whole.
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 (in German and Hungarian, the name of this bird is “Uhu” and the Dutch name is “Oehoe”). Each member of an Eagle Owl population can be identified by means of its vocalizations.
The size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a distinctive species. It has a strong direct flight. The ear tufts of males are more upright than those of females.
Canon 50D, EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM