Birds
Eurasian Eagle-owl
Bubo bubo · Buhă
One of the world's largest owls, with long ear tufts and deep orange eyes.
At a glance
- Status in Romania
- Resident
- Habitat
- Forest / Mountain
- Activity
- Evening · Night
- Diet
- Mammals up to the size of hares, and birds.
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Photography difficulty
- Difficult
Identification
Very large, mottled brown, with prominent ear tufts and orange eyes.
Habitat
Rocky areas, cliffs, gorges and quarries next to forest or open country.
Distribution
In Romania, SOR describes a fragmented distribution across much of the country, excluding high mountain areas and the south. The highlighted counties are a broad approximation, not a complete distribution assessment.
Approximate range in Romania
When it is active
Evening · Night
Diet
Mammals up to the size of hares, and birds.
Behaviour
Mostly active at dusk and night. Its deep hoot carries far, especially in late winter.
Seasonality in Romania
- JanPresent
- FebPresent
- MarPresent
- AprPresent
- MayPresent
- JunPresent
- JulPresent
- AugPresent
- SepPresent
- OctPresent
- NovPresent
- DecPresent
Existing monthly estimates are retained for reference, but have not yet been verified against a Romanian source and are excluded from seasonal filters. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.
Breeding
Nests on cliff ledges or rocky outcrops. Never disturb nest sites.
How to find it
Listen for calling at dusk in late winter near rocky gorges.
Photography
General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Ethics
- Never use playback, lights or bait for owls, and stay away from nest sites.
Practical starting points, not fixed rules.