Home | Animals | Birds | Birds of Prey | Owls | African Milky Eagle Owl

African Milky Eagle Owl

Common Name: African Milky Eagle Owl

Verreaux's Eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus (also known as the Milky Eagle Owl)

Verreaux's Eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus (also known as the Milky Eagle Owl), is a member of the family Strigidae and is one of the largest of the world's owls.

Verreaux's Eagle-owl ranges from 66–71 cm (26-28 in) in length. The wingspan is up to 2 m (6.5 ft), and they average 4 kg (9 lb) in weight. In appearance, they are distinguished by a whitish oval disk face with a black border, pink eyelids, orange eyes and two feather tufts on their ears. Their feathers are dark brown on top and light grey below.

Location or Habitat

This owls are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, typically along forest streams and rivers, seldom above 2000 m (6500 feet).

Behavior
They are nocturnal birds and roost in tall trees. They sleep lightly and will awaken very quickly to defend themselves from attack in daylight hours.

Food
They hunt in early evening. Full-grown owls feed on hares, mongoose and many other small game animals. They are one of the very few birds to feed on hedgehogs. Near cities their prey include rats and pigeons. In the Zoo, they eat bird of prey mix, whiting, smelt, mice and chicks.
The Milky Eagle Owl is the only known predator of the South African hedgehog.  Its spiny skin is neatly peeled off before it is eaten.

Breeding
Breeding takes place from March to September. The female lays two eggs and incubates them for thirty-eight days. She remains on the nest for the entire incubation period while the male hunts for food for both of them. The first egg to hatch is the first to be fed, and if food is not plentiful only the first one hatched will be fed. If food is abundant, both owlets will be fed. The chicks are ready to leave the nest at nine weeks but may remain with the parents for up to three months. 

Lifespan

20 years
 

Communication and Perception 

Acute Vision
 

Breeding or Reproduction

During courtship the pair may engage in fast hooting, excited calling or whining as they bow to each other or preen each other’s feathers.

Behaviors
Milky eagle owls make nests in hollow trees, on the ground of rocky caves, or take over hawk and eagle nests.  The incubation period is 34-36 days.  The clutch size is 1-3 eggs.  Primarily the female incubates the eggs.  Chicks fledge at 9-10 weeks old.

Prey is usually hunted using a quiet, quick dive. 

Adaptations

Talons are extremely sharp, as is their beak.  Milky eagle owls have adaptive coloration to blend in with woodlands.    Flight is silent due to ruffled edges on feathers.

Special Interest 
The Milky Eagle Owl is referred to as Verreaux’s Eagle Owl in eastern and South Africa.  Jules Pierre Verreaux was from a well-respected French family of taxidermists and collectors.  He also founded the British Ornithologists’ Union.

Folklore
To see an owl during the day signifies bad luck.  If one is seen in flight around the house at night, death is present.  Brushing its wings against a window pain, or if seen perching for a great length of time on a roof signifies death within.
The British used to feed children owl broth to avoid whooping cough.  Owl eggs were thought to prevent poor eyesight, epilepsy, and even make a drunk become sober again.

Conservation Status

Least Concern, however like other predators, humans persecute owls wherever their presence may conflict with their interests.  In Europe, eagle owls have been exterminated in densely populated areas.  Owls did not suffer as much as other birds of prey when toxic chemicals were introduced as pesticides in agriculture.  The greater threat is habitat destruction.