Giant Owl

**nivek** · 10-10-2011, 07:19 AM

Lock up your pets! Dog owners warned as giant 6ft Eagle Owl is spotted in Devon

It is not something you expect to see while walking down a busy high street.

But passers-by were forced to believe their eyes when this giant Eagle Owl was spotted perched on a the window ledge of a terraced house in Westward Ho!, near Bideford, Devon yesterday.

The enormous bird - one of the world's largest species of owl, has a wingspan of two metres (6ft) and has been known to prey on animals as big as roe deer.

If hungry enough, the owl could easily pounce on small animals like dogs and cats, and residents have been told to report the animal if they spot it.

Passers-by were stunned when the bird was first seen at around 4.30pm yesterday. It sat there an hour-and-a-half but flew off before animal welfare officers could catch it.

Local, Nina Wickmann, 31, who took these photographs of the awesome bird said: 'Some people were looking up and wondering what it was.

'It just sat there until it opened its huge wings and flew to the ledge where I photographed it.

'It was an incredible sight. It's not every day you see a giant bird of prey in a busy street.

'When it flew off, it unleashed this huge wingspan. I would be a little nervous if I had a small dog or cat.'

Eagle owls are not listed as a British species and it is believed the bird may have escaped from a private collection.

It is feared the animal will die in the wild unless rescued and reunited with its owner.

Nina added: 'This is the first time I have seen an eagle owl and it would be nice to see it returned to its home.'

David Rampling, from the Milky Way Bird of Prey Centre in nearby Clovelly, Devon, said: 'If anyone sees this owl please call me and I will do my best to catch it in the most humane way possible.

'Unfortunately some eagle owl owners don't realise the amount of work and experience needed to keep a bird of this type.

'They are difficult to train and it's not uncommon for them to escape'.

Dog owners warned as giant 6ft Eagle Owl is spotted in Devon | Mail Online

**KellyD** · 10-10-2011, 07:29 AM

if thats a 6 foot owl, then those windows are 20 feet tall? im sorry, i just think they are exagerating just a little.

oh....i see.....6ft wing span.......the title is misleading.

**nivek** · 10-12-2011, 09:08 AM

When Kimo was a puppy I used to worry about the big hawks flying down into the backyard and taking him away lol...When I would see one of those circling around near the yard I was out there with him just in case...Maybe a little over protective but you never know with these big birds what they might want to scoop up for dinner lol...

**KellyD** · 10-12-2011, 09:29 AM

a large bird got our last ferret we had......my dog was really mad at that bird.

**sagewillow** · 10-12-2011, 09:31 AM

Cool. We have a great horned owl that stalks our little dwarf kitty. She is fully grown but the size of a six or seven month old cat. The owl will come around at dusk and perch in one of the pecan trees. I've seen it swoop down and make a grab for her. Poor Monkey will dart from one side of the yard to another. Several times I've had to chase the owl away with a broom. I think he / she is majestic and beautiful and if it was ever unfortunate enough to catch one of my cats, it would have one hell of a fight on it's claws but I don't want it to drop my kitties from tree top level. That, I'm sure, would not be one the cat would walk away from unhurt.

**SactoLady** · 10-12-2011, 09:35 AM

I think a hawk got my little kitty. Had that hawk flying around in the spring, then the kitty disappeared, and so did the hawk. I'd rather believe someone stole him, but I'm thinking he's baby hawk food.

**sagewillow** · 10-12-2011, 09:40 AM

There's a reason why cats don't like ceiling fans. I'm sorry to hear that. I used to live in Colorado and lost a couple of kittens to golden eagles.

**Castle-Bravo354** · 10-12-2011, 09:49 PM

nivek....a great find....

I was just outside listening to an owl.

**KellyD** · 10-12-2011, 09:59 PM

we had ferel cats in the woods by our house and in the spring we could hear the hawks picking off the kittens......it was terrible to listen to and my poor dog was so sad when they did that......she didnt understand why something was hurting the babies.

**Castle-Bravo354** · 10-12-2011, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by KellyD

we had ferel cats in the woods by our house and in the spring we could hear the hawks picking off the kittens......it was terrible to listen to and my poor dog was so sad when they did that......she didnt understand why something was hurting the babies.

kelly....the coyotes got all the ferral cats and outdoor cats in the area long ago. All the cats in the area are indoor residents these days.