- Where to see one
- 5 U.S. zoos in our directory hold verreaux's eagle-owl, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the verreaux's eagle-owl
Verreaux's eagle-owl is the largest owl in Africa, measuring 58 to 66 cm in total length, and the world's largest owl to occur in the tropics. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and lives mainly in dry, wooded savanna with scattered trees and thorny vegetation. The plumage is mainly grey, and bright pink eyelids set it apart from every other owl. A highly opportunistic predator with powerful talons, it takes mammals for just over half of its known diet, along with birds and insects, and appears to be the only routine predator of hedgehogs in Africa. Females can average 35% heavier than males.
Verreaux's Eagle-owl facts
- Its call is the deepest of any living owl and among the deepest of any bird.
- Bright pink eyelids are a feature shared with no other owl.
- More than 50 bird species have been identified as prey.
- It is named for French naturalist Jules Verreaux, who collected the type specimen while still in his teens.
Where to see verreaux's eagle-owl in the U.S.
5 zoos across 5 states
Find the closest one
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AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
