Those are physical adornments associated with communication and signals between individuals. Subscribe for free weekly updates from this African Culture site. But for a select few, it’s just... Come meet dozens of birds, reptiles and mammals! Owls occur on all continents except Antarctica and are known for their generally, but not exclusively, nocturnal behaviors. Description: The African Milky Eagle Owl is a large earred owl with dark eyes and bare pink eyelids. This content was written by Jeanne Egbosiuba Ukwendu. BellaOnline Administration Viewing Hints: The milky eagle owls are easy to find and can be seen nearly anytime except on our coldest days, when they may be indoors. During the nesting season, the female often will be incubating her eggs or chicks in … This power, combined with the major force of impact that owls can achieve, means that most prey of any size are killed instantly upon impact. Habitat: Dry savannah with scattered trees, riverine forest, semi-open woodland. The owl's feathers are dark brown on top and light grey below. © 2020 Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc. All rights Reserved. habitat: Forests, Scrublands, Woodlands. During the breeding season, the eyelids of the males become pinkish or purple, strongly suggesting a role in visual communication associated with reproduction. Its alternative name (Verreaux’s Eagle Owl) honors the French botanist Jules Verreaux. It is a member of the Strigidae family, together with Tawny Owl, Forest Owlet, Eastern Screech Owl, and White-faced Owl. This site needs an editor - click to learn more! for details. Otherwise, these owls usually sit conspicuously in their habitat. This site needs a new editor. The legs are powerfully strong, with long, sharp talons on each toe. range: Eastern Africa, Southern Africa . Contrary to popular belief, they do not sleep all day, and can often be seen awake and active during Zoo hours. Like all owls, milky eagle owls have numerous adaptations for hunting. In the wild, virtually any animal of small to moderate size can fall prey to these owls. The milky eagle owls are easy to find and can be seen nearly anytime except on our coldest days, when they may be indoors. Contact The Giant Eagle Owl, or also known as the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl or the Milky Eagle Owl, is an owl that is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. This is one of the larger owls in the world, and they prey on virtually any small to medium-sized animal. They have specialized structures on the head and feathers to aid their senses and nearly soundless flight. The milky eagle owl earns its name from the distinctive bare upper eyelids that are easily visible during a blink or a nap. for details. The owls at Zoo Atlanta are very productive and produce chicks nearly every year; their offspring are shared with accredited zoos across the country. The Verreaux's Eagle Owl is a very large eagle owl with short, tousled ear-tufts. It could be you! It is … range:Eastern Africa, Southern Africa [VIEW MAP]. Usually only one of the chicks survives to fledging, but then may stay with the pair for up to two years, assisting to raise subsequent chicks. Content copyright © 2019 by Jeanne Egbosiuba Ukwendu. Zoo diet includes mice, rats, chicks, quail, and a commercially prepared bird-of-prey supplement. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Spend the morning with our amazing program animal ambassadors. Pairs often stay together for multiple years and produce two eggs annually. BellaOnline Administration The actual ears are not visible and are located along the outside edge of each eye underneath the feathers. Contact The so-called feathery ears atop the heads of many owls, including the milky eagle owl, are not ears at all. It is also known as the Milky Eagle Owl or the Giant Eagle Owl. Folorunsho Alakija - the Wealthiest Black Woman. The distinctive behavior or head-bobbing from side-to-side maximizes their depth perception, which is crucial in order to make the perfect prey strike. They generally hunt at night, and long-term pairs produce usually two eggs per year, often with only one surviving to fledge. Please read more about Joining the BellaOnline Editor Community. Their silence, persistent gaze, and nocturnal habits make them figure prominently in tales, myths and stories across cultures worldwide. The edges of each feather bear soft, hair-like textures that eliminate the distinctive flapping sound that we hear when most birds take off into flight or change direction suddenly. Much of the African continent, except for the northern deserts and the densest forests. Welcome to our baraza - the place to discuss all things African! The ears are of different size and orientations, which allows for very strong abilities to sense direction and distance of sounds. All rights reserved. You Should Also Read:Von der Decken's Hornbill Facts Congo Peafowl Facts Ostrich Facts Related ArticlesEditor's Picks ArticlesTop Ten ArticlesPrevious FeaturesSite Map Females are generally larger than males. For most species of birds in the Zoo, breeding season ended months ago. Their eyes are massive and offer exceedingly keen vision, even under very low light conditions. This amazing adaptation allows owls to pinpoint the location of prey they cannot see, such as rodents running under packed snow or grasses, as well as prey in zero-light conditions.