Eagle Owl Selected as Luxembourg's Bird of the Year

Local nature conservation non-profit organisation natur&ëmwelt has announced that the Eagel Owl is Luxembourg's bird of the year for 2022.

The aim is to protect the very small population of around 20 to 22 pairs in Luxembourg and to get to know the birds better.

Eagle owls are active during the night and at dusk. During the day, they are sleeping or drowsy. At this time, they stand straight with half-closed eyes and erect feather ears. This camouflage position makes it difficult to spot an eagle owl in a tree or rock.

Eagle owls measure up to 70 cm and are therefore the largest owls in the world. They are extremely adaptable and inhabit quarries and cliffs, coastal landscapes, deserts or forests. Even cities are no problem for the Grand Duke of Europe, as these birds are also called. Thus, even in the heart of the capital, the birds live discreetly and quietly. The city offers then rocks, high buildings, forests and food.

At the beginning of March, the female lays two to three eggs which she incubates alone for 34 days. During this time, the male takes care of the food. Newly hatched young birds lie on their stomachs but can already lift their heavy heads. At six days they can stand on their heels and it is not until the third week that they can really stand on their feet. Walking and climbing must also be learned. The little ones extend their territory and climb everywhere. The first flight exercises begin from the eighth week. The young are fed for five months, until they are able to kill prey on their own.

From this point on they have to be vigilant because the first year of life holds many dangers. Only three out of ten cubs survive. Many of them fall victim to power lines or traffic. Eagle Owls can live up to 30 years or even double than that in captivity.

Natur&ëmwelt developed age-appropriate educational material for each bird of the year, which is provided to cycles 3 and 4 of primary schools. An educational file with many game instructions allows teachers to present this owl in class. With the collaboration of the Natural History Museum, a poster was also designed.

The material is also available at the Maison de la Nature in Kockelscheuer. For all bird lovers and collectors, there is also this year's eagle owl sticker, which is number 45 in the series.

The brochure and the file with many game ideas, a quiz and a coloring model, also suitable for home schooling, can be downloaded from www.naturemwelt.lu.