Worlds Biggest Owl: Facts About Some of the Biggest Owls in the World

Blakiston’s fish owl is the world’s most enormous owl. It is found exclusively in northeast Asia and has a 2-meter wingspan. They have a distinctive black-and-white appearance with a reddish face that helps them survive in the dark environments where they live. These birds are experts at hunting prey, taking it down from large water birds to mammals like rabbits and antelopes.

Top Five Largest Owls in the World

Blakiston’s Fish Owl

This impressive creature has several characteristics that stand out from other birds, including its large owl head and mighty wingspan. This owl can weigh up to 4 kgs! Their loud calls can be heard from a great distance, making them a vital prey catcher for many predators in the ecosystem.

Apart from being one of the giant owls in the world and spending most of its time hunting for food at night, this bird is also famous for its excellent eyesight. As mentioned, it has a wingspan of up to 2 meters and can weigh up to 4 kilograms.

Eurasian Eagle Owl

These magnificent creatures are known for their immense strength and can kill prey much more significantly than themselves. While they’re not as commonly seen as some other owl species, they’re worth a mention – especially if you’re into nature photography!

Originating from Eurasia, this bird has a wingspan of almost 2 meters/6 feet and can be pretty shy when approached – making it difficult to photograph!

Eurasian Eagle Owl is a proven hunter that loves to prey on small mammals such as rabbits and rodents.

Great Grey Owl

The great grey owl is a magnificent bird in many parts of the world. It’s mainly known for its hunting skills, mainly preying on small mammals such as rabbits and rodents.

Surprisingly, the great grey owl can be as large as almost 1 kg (2 lbs), making it one of the giant owls in the world! Its wingspan measures 1.2 meters on average.

This owl lives mostly nocturnally and feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Like other owls, it is known for its ability to see in the dark and its haunting call. Sadly, its population has decreased significantly in recent decades due to hunting and deforestation.

This owl is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a versatile bird that can live in various environments. In 2009, a live excellent grey owl was banded in Ontario, Canada, marking the first time this owl had been tracked and documented in the wild.

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owls are proficient hunters that feast on small mammals such as rabbits, voles, and rodents. The Snowy Owl is the heaviest in North America and can weigh up to four pounds.

Their wingspan can reach up to 4-5 feet, making them one of the giant owls in the world. Not only do they have a great look, but this owl species plays a vital role in natural ecosystems thanks to their diet, which includes plant matter and meat.

Snowy owls have some of the best eyesight in the animal kingdom, and they can also move quickly and evade predators with great ease. Snowy owls are very agile despite their large size and can outrun most predators. Another fantastic thing about these birds is that their feathers help them to stay warm even when it’s cold outside – perfect for those chilly winter days!

Great Horned Owl

The great horned owl is one of the most impressive birds in North America. These owls can weigh up to three pounds and have a wingspan of nearly six feet. Their diets consist mainly of rodents, so they’re essential for keeping populations down in areas where these animals are common.

Great horned owls are one of the most recognizable owl species in the world. These impressive birds have a loud hooting call that can be heard up to a mile away, and they are known for their large eyes and shaggy mane of hair. They prey mainly on small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and rats but will also eat insects.

These owls can be aggressive and protective of their young and shy and mostly stay in their nests during the day. Their diet consists mainly of small animals like rabbits and squirrels, but they will also eat larger prey such as snakes or deer once in a while.

They live in dense forests all over North America and parts of South America. Their ears are specially adapted to high-pitched noises – perfect for hunting prey at night.

Owls in Captivity

Unlike their wild counterparts, owls in captivity usually come in smaller sizes. So if you’re looking to buy an owl as a pet, choose one from a captive population. This way, you’ll support the conservation of these birds and help to save their species from extinction.

They also have lower reproductive rates and are more prone to health problems. Despite these challenges, owls in captivity remain excellent attractions for zoos and wildlife facilities. In addition, owls in captivity make excellent pets, and many people choose to adopt owls that have been retired from hunting or are no longer used as their primary food source.

How Big an Owl Can Grow and Live

An owl can grow up to two meters in length and have a lifespan of 5-12 years in the wild. In captivity, owls can live for up to 28 years.