Verreaux's Eagle Owls
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Verreaux's Eagle Owl (also known as Milky Eagle Owl) is a member of the order Strigidae-genus Bubo lacteus and is one of the largest of the world's owls. It's length is twenty six – twenty eight inches. The wingspan is up to six and one half feet and they average nine pounds. 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 gray below.
Habitat
This owl is found in Sub-Saharan Africa typically along forest streams and rivers seldom above 6500 feet. 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. 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 are rats and pigeons.
Mating
Breeding takes place from March to September. The female lays two eggs and incubates them for thirty eight days. She remains on the nest 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 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.
Population
It is becoming rare in its territory but is not yet considered endangered.
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