Virginian Eagle Owl is a bird of prey from the family of owls. In 1788, I. Gmelin described the features of this species, which received the name from the Virginia colony, where the animal was first noticed. Also, its representatives are often called large horned owls because of feather "ears" about 7 cm high, which is also their main distinguishing feature.
Bird description
The body length of an adult female is 45-63 cm, the male is 43-55 cm. The wingspan of the wings rounded at the ends ranges from 88 to 151 cm. Soft feathers allow the bird to fly barely audible. Large paws to the fingertips are completely pubescent. Like all owl individuals, virgin owls are able to turn their heads 180 ° C. A special cervical vertebra is a kind of compensation for fixed eyes.
Real bird ears are asymmetrical; the left is approximately 6 cm below the right. Using the front disc with a rim of feathers, individuals determine the exact location of the prey, and also send sound signals to their relatives. Unlike many other birds, representatives of this type of eagle owl, photos with which you can see below, grab onto the support with two fingers at the back and two at the front.
Their feathers are reddish-brown, gray, black and white. Light gray birds are found in deserts and forest tundra, and brown and chestnut shades are common in individuals in the subtropics and humid tropics. There are no distinctive features in the color of the female and male. On average, in vivo eagle owls live no more than 13 years.
Habitat and habitat
Bird is found in almost all areas of North America. However, there are exceptions. These are northern corners of Canada with the most severe climate. Also, the Virginian eagle owl lives in the central countries of South America, the coastal northeastern territory and the foothills of the Andes. You can meet individuals of this species in swamps, in rocky and agricultural areas, in gardens, dense forests, deserts and steppes.
Despite some fear of people, sometimes owls become inhabitants of city parks. Interestingly, birds living in mountainous regions do not rise above 4,500 m. Representatives of small subspecies inhabit deserts and tropical lowlands, and large - northern areas.
Nutrition
Rodents and rabbits are the main food for eagle owls. Nevertheless, about 250 other animal species are also included in the diet of nocturnal predators. The bird eats squirrels, bats, young foxes, minks and other mammals. In addition, the Virginian owl, whose photo is located below, can attack other representatives of the owl family (except white owls), woodpeckers, pigeons, ducks, swans, partridges, etc. Songous bird species are practically not included in their diet.
Some reptiles (snakes, turtles and lizards) serve as a meal for eagle owls. From amphibians, birds prey on toads, frogs and salamanders. Predators also feed on fish, worms, spiders, centipedes and scorpions. Undigested residues in the form of feathers, skins and bones 6-10 hours after eating, representatives of the virgin species burp. These large, dense, dark lumps allow scientists to study the nutritional preferences of individuals living in different parts of America.
Lifestyle
The Virginian Eagle Owl is awake at night, but in cloudy weather it can fly to hunt during the day. Most often, during daylight hours, the bird sleeps in a nest or on a high branch, moving close to the trunk of a tree. Representatives of this species are unpredictable and extremely aggressive, especially during hatching and caring for chicks. The protective actions of these eagle owls are identical with other owls (demonstration of huge wings, beak clicking and body swaying). The main enemies of the birds are red-tailed buzzards, crows and goshawks.
Eagle owls form pairs only in January and February, that is, during the mating season. The first summer young individuals spend with their parents. The rest of the year, owls prefer loneliness. Monogamy and cannibalism are inherent in birds.
Reviews of owls of this species as a pet, you can say, do not exist. However, there is some evidence of successful taming. In captivity and with decent care, a predator can live 20 years. As for agriculture, owls can reduce the likelihood of crop damage by destroying rodents and attacking wild cats that prey on chickens, geese, ducks, etc. On the other hand, they themselves pose a danger to pets, small cattle and the inhabitants of chicken coops.