Cape Eagle-owl

Afrikaans name: Kaapse ooruil

Cape Eagle Owl

Photo © Riaan van den Berg - Fotolia.com

Bubo capensis

The Cape Eagle-owl is a large bird of prey. It can measure up to 60 cm in length. Females are larger than males and can weigh up to 1.8 kg.

It is fairly similar in looks to the Spotted Eagle-owl but this species has orange eyes while the Spotted Eagle-owl has yellow eyes. It is also larger and has a more 'blotched' appearance.

Despite being called the Cape Eagle-owl it is fairly widespread in its distribution. It is found all the way from the Cape through to Ethiopia and Kenya.

It is capable of killing and large prey including Duiker and Klipspringer. It also takes smaller prey such as rodents, birds, lizards and insects.

The Cape Eagle-owl normally breeds on cliff ledges. They lay up to 3 eggs.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	367	Bubo capensis
2nd	367	Bubo capensis
3rd	367	Bubo capensis
4th	367	Bubo capensis
5th	400	Bubo capensis
6th	400	Bubo capensis
7th	164	Bubo capensis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	367	Cape Eagle Owl
2nd	367	Cape Eagle Owl
3rd	367	Cape Eagle Owl
4th	367	Cape Eagle Owl
5th	400	Cape Eagle Owl
6th	400	Cape Eagle Owl
7th	164	Cape Eagle-Owl

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	367	Kaapse-ooruil
2nd	367	Kaapse Ooruil
3rd	367	Kaapse Ooruil
4th	367	Kaapse Ooruil
5th	400	Kaapse Ooruil
6th	400	Kaapse Ooruil
7th	164	Kaapse Ooruil

References and further reading

The Rare Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1985 - Page: 213

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 114

The Owls of Southern Africa - Author: Alan Kemp and Simon Calburn - Published: 1987 - Page: 138

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 149

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 22

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 244

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 346

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 234

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 250

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 349

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 262

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 252

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 194

Owls and Owling - Author: W. Tarboton & R. Erasmus - Published: 1998 - Page: 65

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 78

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 220

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 220

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 164

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 148

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 70

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 132

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 42

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 266

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 48

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 149

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 161

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 98

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 121

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 121

A Delight of Owls - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1984 - Page: 107

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 162

BirdLife South Africa

---

Top

List of South African Birds