Eagle Owls have various hunting techniques and will take prey on the ground or in full flight. They may hunt in forests but prefer open areas.
Eagle Owls will eat almost anything the moves - from beetles to roe deer fawns. The major part of their diet however, consists of mammals (Voles, rats, mice, foxes, hares etc...), but birds of all kinds are also taken, including crows, ducks, grouse, seabirds, and even other birds of prey. Active mainly at dusk to dawn. Roosts by day singly or in pairs in trees or in rock crevices. Flight is noiseless, with soft wingbeats interrupted by gliding when flying over long distance. Will sometimes soar. European Eagle Owl in flight. This was a captive display bird.
Location: British Wildlife Centre, Surrey
Photographer: Dave Saunders