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Eurasian Eagle-owl Bubo bubo
IUCN Red List history
| Year | Category |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Least Concern |
| 2009 | Least Concern |
| 2008 | Least Concern |
| 2004 | Least Concern |
| 2000 | Lower Risk/Least Concern |
| 1994 | Lower Risk/Least Concern |
| 1988 | Lower Risk/Least Concern |
Species attributes
| Migratory status | not a migrant | Forest dependency | Medium |
| Land mass type | Average mass | - |
Distribution
| Estimate | Data quality | |
|---|---|---|
| Extent of Occurrence breeding/resident (km2) | 32,000,000 | medium |
| Extent of Occurrence non-breeding (km2) | 32,000,000 | medium |
| Number of locations | - | |
| Fragmentation | - |
Population & trend
| Estimate | Data quality | Derivation | Year of estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of mature individuals | poor | Estimated | 2009 | |
| Population trend | Decreasing | - | ||
| Number of subpopulations | - | - | - | |
| Largest subpopulation | - | - | - | |
| Generation length (yrs) | 12.1 | - | - | - |
| Population justification: In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 19,000-38,000 breeding pairs, equating to 57,000-114,000 individuals (BirdLife International 2004). Europe forms 5-24% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 250,000-2,500,000 individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed. National population estimates include: c.100-10,000 breeding pairs in China; c.100-10,000 breeding pairs in Korea; < c.100 breeding pairs in Japan and c.100-10,000 breeding pairs in Russia (Brazil 2009). | ||||
| Trend justification: The population is suspected to be in decline owing to human persecution (del Hoyo et al. 1999). | ||||
Country/Territory distribution
| Country/Territory | Occurrence status | Extinct | Breeding | Non-breeding | Passage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Native | No | |||
| Albania | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Andorra | Native | No | |||
| Armenia | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Austria | Native | No | |||
| Azerbaijan | Native | No | |||
| Bahrain | Vagrant | No | Yes | ||
| Belarus | Native | No | |||
| Belgium | Native | No | |||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Bulgaria | Native | No | |||
| China (mainland) | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Croatia | Native | No | |||
| Czech Republic | Native | No | |||
| Denmark | Native | No | |||
| Estonia | Native | No | |||
| Finland | Native | No | |||
| France | Native | No | |||
| Georgia | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Germany | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Gibraltar (to UK) | Vagrant | No | |||
| Greece | Native | No | |||
| Hong Kong (China) | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Hungary | Native | No | |||
| India | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Iran, Islamic Republic of | Native | No | |||
| Iraq | Native | No | |||
| Israel | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Italy | Native | No | |||
| Japan | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Kazakhstan | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Kyrgyzstan | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Latvia | Native | No | |||
| Lebanon | Native | No | |||
| Liechtenstein | Native | No | |||
| Lithuania | Native | No | |||
| Luxembourg | Native | No | |||
| Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of | Native | No | |||
| Moldova | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Mongolia | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Montenegro | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Netherlands | Native | No | |||
| North Korea | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Norway | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Pakistan | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Palestinian Authority Territories | Native | No | |||
| Poland | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Portugal | Native | No | |||
| Romania | Native | No | |||
| Russia (Asian) | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Russia (Central Asian) | Native | No | |||
| Russia (European) | Native | No | |||
| Serbia | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Slovakia | Native | No | |||
| Slovenia | Native | No | |||
| South Korea | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Spain | Native | No | |||
| Sweden | Native | No | |||
| Switzerland | Native | No | |||
| Syria | Native | No | |||
| Tajikistan | Native | No | Yes | ||
| Turkey | Native | No | |||
| Turkmenistan | Native | Yes | Yes | ||
| Ukraine | Native | No | |||
| Uzbekistan | Native | No | Yes |
Important Bird Areas where this species has triggered the IBA criteria
| Country/Territory | IBA Name | IBA link |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Khosrov Reserve |  |
| Armenia | Noravank | |
| Austria | Kaisergebirge | |
| Austria | Karwendel | |
| Austria | Lower Kamp valley | |
| Austria | Middle Kamp valley | |
| Austria | Styrian Enns valley | |
| Austria | Thermenlinie | |
| Austria | Wachau | |
| Belarus | Al'manskija baloty | |
| Belarus | Balota Zvaniec | |
| Belarus | Bielaviežškaja Pušča | |
| Belarus | Mid Prypiac' | |
| Belarus | Sialiec | |
| Belgium | Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse | |
| Belgium | Haute Meuse | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Livno karst field | |
| Bulgaria | Devetashko Plateau | |
| Bulgaria | Dobrostan | |
| Bulgaria | Karlukovski Karst | |
| Bulgaria | Ponor | |
| Bulgaria | Provadiysko-Royaksko plateau | |
| Bulgaria | Studen Kladenets | |
| Bulgaria | Studenets | |
| Bulgaria | Suha Reka | |
| Bulgaria | Vrachanski Balkan | |
| Bulgaria | Western Balkan | |
| Czech Republic | Broumovsko | |
| Czech Republic | Doupov hills | |
| Czech Republic | Krivoklatsko (Krivoklatsko region) | |
| Czech Republic | Krkonose mountains (Giant mountains) | |
| Czech Republic | Labské pískovce sandstones | |
| Czech Republic | Sumava mountains (Bohemian forest) | |
| Czech Republic | The valley of the Otava a Vltava rivers | |
| Czech Republic | Trebonsko (Trebon region) | |
| Estonia | Lahemaa | |
| Estonia | Muraka | |
| Estonia | Nätsi-Võlla | |
| Estonia | Nõva-Osmussaar | |
| Estonia | Väinameri | |
| Finland | Juortanansalo | |
| Finland | Lake Pihlajavesi | |
| Finland | Luoto archipelago | |
| Finland | Oulanka-Sukerijärvi | |
| Finland | Pomokaira-Koitelaiskaira | |
| France | Basses Corbières | |
| France | Chaîne des Alpilles | |
| France | Gorges de la Dourbie et causses avoisinants | |
| France | Gorges du Tarn et de la Jonte | |
| France | Haut Val d'Allier | |
| France | Hautes Corbières | |
| France | Hautes garrigues du Montpellierais | |
| France | Hauts Plateaux du Vercors et Forêt des Coulmes | |
| France | Les Couzes Nord | |
| France | Les Couzes Sud | |
| France | Massif du Petit Lubéron | |
| France | Minervois | |
| France | Montagne de la Clape | |
| France | Montagne Sainte-Victoire | |
| France | Parc National de la Vanoise | |
| France | Plateau de l'Arbois, garrigues de Lancon et chaîne des Côtes | |
| France | Vallée de la Loire : gorges de la Loire | |
| Greece | Barbas and Klokos mountains and Selinous gorge | |
| Greece | Nestos gorge | |
| Greece | Protected area of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli forest | |
| Greece | South forest complex of Evros prefecture | |
| Hungary | Bodrogzug–Taktaköz | |
| Hungary | Mátra | |
| Hungary | Zemplén Mountains | |
| Luxembourg | Dudelange Haard | |
| Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of | Lake Tikvesh | |
| Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of | River Pchinja-river Petroshnica-river Kriva Reka | |
| Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of | River Radika catchment | |
| Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of | River Topolka-river Babuna-river Bregalnica | |
| Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of | Shar Planina Mountain | |
| Poland | Biebrza river valley | |
| Poland | Bieszczady Mountains | |
| Poland | Drawa River Site | |
| Poland | Forest at Drawa River | |
| Poland | Forest at Gwda River | |
| Poland | Middle part of Tuchola forest | |
| Poland | Parczew forests | |
| Poland | Slonne Mountains | |
| Poland | Solska Forest | |
| Poland | Sudety Wałbrzysko-Kamiennogorskie Mountains | |
| Poland | Tuchola Forest | |
| Portugal | Côa valley | |
| Portugal | Gerês mountains | |
| Portugal | Malcata mountains | |
| Portugal | Montesinho and Nogueira mountains | |
| Portugal | Mourão, Moura e Barrancos | |
| Portugal | Portas de Ródão e Vale Mourão | |
| Portugal | Sabôr and Maçãs | |
| Portugal | Serra de Monchique | |
| Portugal | Serra de Penha Garcia e Campina de Toulões | |
| Portugal | Serra do Caldeirão | |
| Portugal | Serras do Alvão e Marão | |
| Portugal | Upper River Douro and Águeda valleys | |
| Portugal | Upper River Tejo | |
| Romania | Almăjului Mountains - Locvei | |
| Romania | Bârnova woodland | |
| Romania | Bicaz gorge and Hăşmaş Mountains | |
| Romania | Bogata forest | |
| Romania | Domogled - Cernei valley | |
| Romania | Metaliferi Mountains | |
| Romania | Nerei gorge - Beuşniţa | |
| Romania | Padiş - Vlădeasa mountain | |
| Romania | Retezat Mountains | |
| Romania | Trascău Mountains | |
| Russia (European) | Kargopol' area | |
| Russia (European) | Kraka Mountain | |
| Russia (European) | Mountain valley of Ai river | |
| Russia (European) | Mountain valley of Zilim river | |
| Russia (European) | Tsimlyanskiye sands | |
| Serbia | Prokletije | |
| Serbia | Sara mountain | |
| Serbia | Sicevo gorge | |
| Serbia | Stara mountain-Vidlic | |
| Serbia | Uvac-Milesevka | |
| Slovenia | Karst | |
| Slovenia | Vipavski rob | |
| Spain | Alcarama mountain and Alhama river | |
| Spain | Arnedillo-Isasa crag | |
| Spain | Arribes del Duero-Fermoselle | |
| Spain | Bardenas Reales | |
| Spain | Burete, Cambrón and Espuña mountain ranges | |
| Spain | Cardó, Tivissa and Llabería mountains | |
| Spain | Cazorla and Segura mountain ranges | |
| Spain | Cortados del Jarama | |
| Spain | El Pardo-Viñuelas | |
| Spain | El Valle, Altaona and Escalona mountains | |
| Spain | Espadán mountain range | |
| Spain | Gorges of Iregua, Leza and Jubera | |
| Spain | Gredos and Candelario mountain ranges | |
| Spain | La Almenara mountain range-Cape Cope | |
| Spain | La Safor and North Alicante mountain ranges | |
| Spain | Lower course of the river Huerva | |
| Spain | Lower course of the river Matarraña-Ribarroja | |
| Spain | María mountain range-Los Vélez | |
| Spain | Monfragüe | |
| Spain | Montagut and Montmell mountains | |
| Spain | Montsant and Prades mountains | |
| Spain | Mountain range and saltpans at Cabo de Gata | |
| Spain | Mountains of Barcelona | |
| Spain | Obarenes mountains | |
| Spain | Pass of Beceite-Turmell mountain | |
| Spain | Prelittoral mountain ranges of Granada | |
| Spain | Rivers Cabriel and Júcar canyons | |
| Spain | San Pedro mountain range | |
| Spain | Tiermes-Caracena | |
| Spain | Toledo mountains-Cabañeros | |
| Spain | Torrecilla and Gigante mountain ranges | |
| Spain | Turia canyon and Los Serranos | |
| Sweden | Hanveden-Hemfosa | |
| Sweden | Stigfjorden fjord | |
| Sweden | Tarnan-Riala forest | |
| Ukraine | Carpathian Vulkanichnyj Mountains | |
| Ukraine | Gorgany | |
| Ukraine | Orikhivski lake-system | |
| Ukraine | Pryp'yat' river valley | |
| Ukraine | Shats'ki lakes | |
| Ukraine | Syra Pogonya mire | |
| Ukraine | Uzh river valley | |
Habitats & altitude
| Habitat (level 1) | Habitat (level 2) | Importance | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Arable Land | suitable | resident |
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Pastureland | suitable | resident |
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Rural Gardens | suitable | resident |
| Artificial/Terrestrial | Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest | suitable | resident |
| Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | Caves | suitable | breeding |
| Forest | Boreal | suitable | resident |
| Forest | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Grassland | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Shrubland | Mediterranean-type Shrubby Vegetation | suitable | resident |
| Shrubland | Temperate | suitable | resident |
| Altitude | 0 - 4500 m | Occasional altitudinal limits |
Utilisation
| Purpose | Primary form used | Life stage used | Source | Scale | Level | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pets | Whole | Adults and juveniles | Wild | International | Non-trivial | Recent |
| Medicine | Whole | Adults and juveniles | Wild | Subsistence, National | Non-trivial | Recent |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Bubo bubo. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013.
This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Current IUCN Red List category | Least Concern |
| Family | Strigidae (Owls) |
| Species name author | (Linnaeus, 1758) |
| Population size | mature individuals |
| Population trend | Decreasing |
| Distribution size (breeding/resident) | 32,000,000 km2 |
| Country endemic? | No |
| Links to further information | |
| - Summary information on this species | |
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