
Eurasian Eagle Owl Berlin Zoo
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If you are staying at any of the great hotels in Berlin, you
are undoubtedly staying within walking distance of this
zoo. It is
located on the outskirts of the Tiergarten, the large park in the center of
the city. The park itself is bigger than the country of Monaco.
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[more pics]
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The Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a
species of
horned owl resident in much of
Europe
and Asia.
The "Eagle Owl" is a large and powerful
bird,
smaller than the
Golden Eagle but larger than the
Snowy
Owl. It has a wingspan of up to 138-200 cm (55-79 in) and measures
58-75 cm (23-30 in) long. Females weigh 1.75-4.2 kg (3.9-9.4 lbs) and
males weigh 1.5-3.2 kg (3.3-7 lbs). In comparison, the common
Barn
Owl weighs about 500 grams (1.1 lbs). It mainly feeds on small
mammals, but can kill prey up to the size of
foxes and
young deer
(up to 10 kg/22 lb), if taken by surprise. Larger prey (over 3 kg/7 lb)
is consumed on the ground which leaves the bird vulnerable (for example
to foxes).
The call of the Eagle Owl is a deep resonant “ooh-hu”
with emphasis on the first syllable for the male, and a more
high-pitched uh-Hu for the female (in German, the name of this bird is
"Uhu"). Each member of an Eagle Owl population can be identified by
means of its vocalizations.
The size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a
distinctive species. It has a strong direct flight. The ear tufts of
males are more upright than those of females.
The horned owls are a part of the larger grouping of
owls known as
the
typical owls,
Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is
the
barn owls,
Tytonidae.
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What to expect at the Berlin zoo.
Thousands of great animals included in a well laid out zoo/aquarium setup.
I was surprised by the size of the place. Not just a cage with
one or two elephants but, apparently, a whole african savanah with a herd of
elephants. Not just elephants, but
giraffes,
lions, gorillas,
kangaroos,
polar bears,
tigers,
emus and, even, a glimpse of (not one, but two)
okapi. |
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from
wikipedia
"The Berlin
Zoological Garden (German:
Zoologischer Garten Berlin)
is the oldest and internationally most well known zoo in
Germany.
Opened in 1844 it comprises an area of 35 hectares and is located in
Berlin,
Tiergarten. With almost 1,400 different
species
and around 14,000 animals the zoo presents the most comprehensive collection
of species in the world.
The zoo and its
aquarium
numbered 3.2 million visitors in 2007. It is considered to be the most
visited zoo in Europe and one of the most popular worldwide. Regular animal
feedings are among its most famous attractions. Several globally known
animals like
Knut, the polar bear or Bao Bao, the Giant Panda are contributing to the
zoo's public image.
The zoo is closely collaborating on scientific fields with a large number
of universities, research institutes, and other zoos around the world. It
maintains and promotes numerous
European breeding programmes and safeguards several endangered species.
A number of species kept at the 'Berlin Zoo' are regularly returned to the wild after
years in intensive human care."
A couple of nice places to eat, inside or out. Lots of signs pointing
the way and a comprehensive
zoo map in our guide book.
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