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World Owl Trust - leading the World in Owl Conservation
Friday March 12th, 2010


Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
Bubo lacteus
Click on small image to view larger one   Bubo lacteus
As of February 2005.
Description Very large, uniform grey (gray) eared owl, with dark eyes and bare pink eyelids. Light vermiculations above, and dense fine barring below.
Size 60-65cm, 1600-3115g
Range Sub-Saharan Africa, absent from Namibian desert and tropical rainforest.
Habitat Dry savannah with scattered trees, riverine forest, semi-open woodland.
Food Medium sized mammals including monkeys, hedgehogs, hyraxes; also larger birds, reptiles, frogs, invertebrates, fish and even carrion.
Breeding Mainly breeds from March to September, nesting in old stick nests of other birds such as vultures, crows or Hammerkops. 2 eggs are laid, and are incubated for 38 days. It is normal for the second chick to disappear within the first 2 weeks. The remaining chick leaves the nest at about 9 weeks and can fly well within a couple of weeks. It can be independent by 6 months of age although many chicks remain with the parents for up to 2 years.
Call Sequence of deep, nasal, grunts.
Status Not globally threatened. Widespread but locally rare.
Comments Also known as the Milky or Giant Eagle Owl.
Races Monotypic.
No additional races.

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