Pharaoh Eagle-Owl
Bubo ascalaphus
The Pharaoh Eagle-Owl (Bubo ascalaphus) is a rare owl found in 16 countries, weighing about 2.1 kg. The Pharaoh eagle-owl is a Middle Eastern and North African species of owl in the family Strigidae.
About the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl
The Pharaoh eagle-owl is a Middle Eastern and North African species of owl in the family Strigidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Pharaoh eagle-owl has a mottled plumage and large orange-yellow eyes. The head and upperparts are tawny and densely marked with black and creamy-white streaks and blotches, while the underparts are pale creamy-white, with black streaks on the upper breast and fine reddish-brown vermiculations on the lower breast and belly. The face has the disc-like form typical of most owls, defined by a dark rim, the robust bill is black and hooked, and the head is crowned with small ear tufts. With a body length of 46–50 cm (18–20 in), it is one of the smaller eagle-owl species.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pharaoh Eagle-Owl?
- The Pharaoh eagle-owl has a mottled plumage and large orange-yellow eyes. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pharaoh Eagle-Owl?
- The Pharaoh Eagle-Owl is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.1 kg.
- Where can you see a Pharaoh Eagle-Owl?
- The Pharaoh Eagle-Owl occurs in 16 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Kuwait, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
- What birds look similar to a Pharaoh Eagle-Owl?
- The Pharaoh Eagle-Owl is most easily confused with the Greyish Eagle-Owl, the Indian Eagle-Owl and the Lesser Horned Owl.
- Is the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl endangered?
- The Pharaoh Eagle-Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl for real
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