Join the network of “eagle-owl guardians” and listen to the calls of these interesting owls

Join the network of “eagle-owl guardians” and listen to the calls of these interesting owls
Following nesting pairs of Eurasian eagle-owls (Bubo Bubo) in the area of the Krka National Park in 2023

In the period from February 8 to March 3, 2023, at eleven locations along the canyon of the Krka River, in the evening hours, during sunset, the hooting of male eagle-owls could be heard. The monitoring results are satisfactory, although the poor weather (rain and wind) prevented more intensive field work this year.

In the area of the Krka National Park in 2023, along the canyons of the Krka and Čikola Rivers, the calls of six males were recorded, which confirmed the presence of the Eurasian eagle-owl in the lower, middle and upper reaches of the river. This year's special feature was the call of a male recorded during the night on the roof of a family house in the hamlet of Tulići. The eagle-owl hoots with a “u-hu” sound, which it repeats every 8 to 12 seconds, particularly frequent in springtime during courtship and territorial marking. The call can be heard at a distance of up to four kilometers.

The eagle-owl lives in coniferous forests, river canyons, and on rocky mountain slopes. It flies silently, with shallow wing beats, and alternating long glides. The male is smaller than the female. The head is large and round, with large red-orange eyes, and two long ear tufts of feathers. The chest is rusty brown, with black spots.

The eagle-owl is an apex predator and its presence in an area consequently speaks of the quality of the habitat itself. It is strictly protected and a target species of the area of the ecological network of the Krka River and the surrounding plateau (HR1000026). The aim is to preserve the eagle-owl population in this area, that is, suitable habitats for a nesting population of 50 to 70 pairs.

This is why we invite all interested owl lovers to contact us and join the network of “eagle-owl guardians”, who every year visit selected localities suitable for nesting and record the presence of eagle-owls. The methodology is simple and does not require special preparations or excellent physical fitness.