Eagle owl

The eagle owl owes its name to the piercing mating calls that the male makes from high perches in February and March: a muffled "u-hu" or "bu-bo". The largest owl in Europe impresses with its fiery orange eyes and long feathered ears. This allows the mighty hunter of the dark to miss almost nothing. Accordingly, its prey ranges from hares and foxes to large birds such as capercaillies and herons. The feet of all native owls are heavily feathered and the powerful claws, which are pointed forwards and backwards in pairs, grip the prey as if with pincers. The sharp-edged, strongly curved and pointed beak, which is half hidden in the plumage of the owls, is used to kill the prey.