Page 59 - Animals of the Sakhalin Region in myths and legends

Eurasian eagle-owl

(Bubo bubo)

Large owl, total body length 60–70 cm. Weight is about 3 kg. The
wingspan of a bird is from 150 to 180 cm. It is distinguished by wellvisible
tufts of ear feathers. The upper body is dark red, with numerous blackish
streaks, chest feathers are red or buffy, bearing dark rod streaks. Side and
belly feathers with thin transverse stripes. The eyes are reddish-orange.
The owl’s flight is silent, which is important during a night hunt, when
everyone in the forest is asleep. Eyesight is very sharp. The eagle owl’s
ability to turn its head is also famous: they can turn it up to 270 degrees,
making almost a full turn of the head around the neck. All these features
make the bird an unrivaled night hunter.
Food objects are mammals and birds of medium and small sizes.
In the Sakhalin region, it nests throughout the territory of island
Sakhalin, but unevenly, and on the Kuril Islands (Kunashir and Iturup).
General distribution — Europe, Asia, North America.

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