Eurasian Eagle-Owl vs Harpy Eagle
Bubo bubo compared with Harpia harpyja
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Eagle-Owl | Harpy Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bubo bubo | Harpia harpyja |
| Order | Strigiformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | 68.0 cm (26.8 in) | 100.0 cm (39.4 in) |
| Wingspan | 170.0 cm (66.9 in) | 200.0 cm (78.7 in) |
| Weight | 2800.0 g (98.77 oz) | 7500.0 g (264.55 oz) |
| Diet | Mammals up to the size of hares and young foxes, and birds up to the … | Arboreal mammals including sloths, monkeys, and opossums, which make up over 70% of the diet. … |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Rocky landscapes, cliffs, gorges, and open forest across Eurasia. Increasingly found near human settlements.
Harpy Eagle
Tropical lowland rainforests, requiring large tracts of continuous forest with tall emergent trees for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Powerful, resonant 'ooo-hu' duetting with mate across great distances at dusk. One of Europe's deepest owl calls. Also gives barking screams, hisses, and grunts at the nest.
Harpy Eagle
Rarely heard; emits mournful whistled screams 'wheee-oo' and low croaking grunts near the nest. Vocalizations poorly documented given its remote Amazonian habitat.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed eagle-owl.
Harpy Eagle
Central and South America from southern Mexico through Brazil and northern Argentina. Range is shrinking due to deforestation.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Harpy Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Tawny-brown plumage heavily mottled and streaked with black. Large prominent orange eyes and long ear tufts. Streaked breast and barred belly.
Powerful, dark grey-black hooked bill
Harpy Eagle
Slate-black upperparts and head with a pale grey breast and white underparts with black barring. A distinctive split grey crest rises when the bird is alarmed.
Massive dark hooked bill, one of the largest of any eagle
About These Birds
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest owl species in the world, with females sometimes reaching a wingspan of nearly two meters. Its deep booming call can be heard up to four kilometers away on calm nights. These apex predators sit at the top of the avian food chain, preying on other raptors including buzzards and smaller owls.
Harpy Eagle
The harpy eagle is among the most powerful raptors in the world, with talons as large as a grizzly bear's claws. It is the national bird of Panama. Deforestation poses the greatest threat to this species, as each breeding pair requires a vast territory of undisturbed forest.