Eurasian Eagle-Owl vs White-tailed Eagle
Bubo bubo compared with Haliaeetus albicilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Eagle-Owl | White-tailed Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bubo bubo | Haliaeetus albicilla |
| Order | Strigiformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 68.0 cm (26.8 in) | 84.0 cm (33.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 170.0 cm (66.9 in) | 225.0 cm (88.6 in) |
| Weight | 2800.0 g (98.77 oz) | 5200.0 g (183.42 oz) |
| Diet | Mammals up to the size of hares and young foxes, and birds up to the … | Fish, waterfowl, and carrion. Often pirates food from other birds. Takes fish from the water … |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Eurasian Eagle-Owl only
White-tailed Eagle only
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Rocky landscapes, cliffs, gorges, and open forest across Eurasia. Increasingly found near human settlements.
White-tailed Eagle
Coastlines, large lakes, and rivers with mature trees or cliffs for nesting. Requires large undisturbed areas.
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.
White-tailed Eagle
High-pitched, yelping 'klee-klee' and deep barking 'ra-ra-ra'. Less vocal than Bald Eagle but similar chattering quality. Gives gull-like wailing near nest in breeding season.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed eagle-owl.
White-tailed Eagle
Northern Europe and Asia from Greenland and Scandinavia to Japan. Reintroduced to Scotland and Ireland.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
White-tailed 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
White-tailed Eagle
Brown body with a paler head in adults and a distinctive short white wedge-shaped tail. Massive broad wings in flight. Juveniles are darker overall.
Very large, heavy, pale yellow bill
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.
White-tailed Eagle
The white-tailed eagle is Europe's largest eagle and the fourth-largest eagle in the world. Once extinct in Britain, it has been successfully reintroduced to Scotland and Ireland through conservation programs. These powerful raptors can live over 25 years and form lifelong pair bonds.