Descriptions

The Right Honourable Earl of Portsmouth presented this truly magnificent eagle owl to the Museum on the 24 April 1933. The owl was shot by his head gamekeeper Mr Ernest Isles when it was seen killing hen pheasants at Morchard Bishop, near Crediton, in Devon. The Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) is one of the largest species of owl in the world. The females are larger than the males and can weigh over 3kg and have a wing span of around 1.75m. With their mesmerising flame-orange eyes and quirky ear tufts they are spectacular birds. Using their keen eyesight and powerful talons eagles owls are able to catch even large birds, including pheasants and ducks, which they rip apart with their sharp beaks. Eagle owls can be found across mainland Europe and Asia, and a few pairs are known to breed in the UK. However, those found here are quite likely to be the offspring of owls that escaped from captivity, as opposed to having crossed the Channel from France. Come and meet this beautiful specimen in the In Fine Feather gallery.

This object is on display at RAMM in the In Fine Feather gallery.