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World Owl Trust - leading the World in Owl Conservation
Monday March 15th, 2010


Cape Eagle Owl
Bubo capensis
Click on small image to view larger one   Bubo capensis
As of February 2005.
Description Large, dark, eared owl. Dark brown above with buff spotting, creamy-buff under-parts with heavy dark blotching. Pale buff facial disk, and orange-yellow eyes.
Size 48-58cm, 900-1800g
Range Patchily in E & S Africa form Eritrea and Ethiopia to South Africa. Mainly at elevated altitudes.
Habitat Mountainous regions, hilly country, rocky gorges.
Food Mammals up to the size of hares, birds, reptiles, fogs and large invertebrates.
Breeding July to March in East Africa, June to September in South Africa. 1-3 eggs laid in scrape on cliff ledge, in cave entrance or under bush. Incubation 35 days, young leave nest by 6-7 weeks, and can fly by 11 weeks. Dependent on parents for a further 2 to 3 months.
Call Deep, explosive, double noted hoot, first note much louder than the second.
Status Not globally threatened, but never found at high densities.
Comments None at this time.
Races None at this time.
B.c.capensis S Africa and S Namibia
B.c.dillonii Ethiopian and Eritrean highlands
B.c.mackinderi Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique

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The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.
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