Eurasian Eagle-Owl

This massive owl favors rocky cliffs, gorges, and forested hillsides across Eurasia, where it roosts in sheltered ledges or dense vegetation during the day and becomes active at dusk. Listen at twilight and dawn for the deep, resonant "oo-hu" territorial call, which carries over remarkable distances, and watch for the silhouette of a very large, broad-winged owl with prominent ear tufts crossing open ground or perched conspicuously on exposed rocks or fence posts. Late winter and early spring offer the best opportunities, when pairs call frequently during courtship and bare vegetation makes spotting roosting birds considerably easier.