Siberian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo sibiricus)

Conservation Status: Least Concern
Distribution: Siberia and northern Mongolia
Habitat: Mountainous forests, rocky slopes, and semi-deserts
Diet: Large birds, plus a variety of small- and medium-sized mammals including rabbits and hares, roe deer fawns, young foxes and hedgehogs. Also frogs, newts and crabs are occasionally eaten.
Size: 60-71cm / 24–31 inches (head to tail)
Weight: 1.6–4.6 kg / 3.5–10 lbs
Activity Cycle: Crepuscular
Threats: Mainly habitat loss and degradation from climate change and human development, also often killed from collisions with vehicles, wind turbines and air craft, as well as indirectly killed from rodenticide poisonings.

The Siberian eagle owl is a subspecies of the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo Bubo), known for its distinctive off-white plumage, orange eyes and noticeable ear-tufts, perfectly adapted for the northern, colder habitat it is found within. With an impressive wingspan ranging from 1.5-1.9 metres, this large solitary, predatory owl hunts a variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, and even very young deer, using its powerful flight and exceptional eyesight to capture prey silently. Like many owl species, Siberian Eagle owls will typically use a nest abandoned by another large bird, preferring sheltered sites between rocks and cave entrances. However, they may simply nest on the ground if there are no suitable nesting sites to be found, with the female examining a number of depressions before selecting the most suitable. Generally, only one chick will be raised at a time, with the young being fully independent and leaving the parents' territory by 8 months old.

Did you Know?

The primary call is a deep, monotonous “oohu-oohu” used by the male to stake out its territory. The female’s, by comparison, is of a higher pitch. Reaching an impressive 300 hertz, these calls can be heard for miles. They are also capable of other vocalisations, such as barking and growling when feeling under threat.

Our Siberian Eagle Owl is called Steel!

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