Wild eagle-owls select Burgers' Zoo as breeding ground
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Eagle‑owl expert Gejo Wassink rings and weighs four eagle‑owl chicks that hatched from a wild nest inside the Arnhem zoo
Two wild eagle-owls have again chosen Royal Burgers’ Zoo as their preferred nesting site. These large owls—the largest in Europe—have been breeding here regularly since 2016. Over the Whitsun weekend, eagle-owl expert Gejo Wassink visited Burgers’ Zoo in the evening to ring and weigh two chicks. The birds were returned to the nest immediately afterwards.
Exceptional
Assisted by biologists, zookeepers and horticulturalists, eagle‑owl expert Wassink found four young eagle‑owls in the nest, which is exceptional given that he usually only encounters two or three at a time. The four chicks are 46, 44, 43 and 39 days old, and are most likely two males and two females. Females tend to be heavier, as they are the ones that incubate the eggs.
At home in mountain landscapes
The Eurasian eagle‑owl is the largest owl species in Europe; it is relatively rare in the Netherlands, as it prefers to breed in mountainous areas. The breeding pairs recorded in the Netherlands are mainly found in Limburg (particularly near Mount Saint Peter) and in quarries such as those near Winterswijk. At Burgers’ Zoo, the owls have also selected an elevated spot in the landscape to build their nest.
Protected in the Netherlands
The Eurasian eagle‑owl is protected in the Netherlands. Young birds are ringed to accurately monitor the wild population. Ringing also provides an opportunity to collect valuable data, such as size and weight. Capturing eagle‑owls can be risky, as they have powerful talons and a sharp beak. Only a few experts in the Netherlands are licensed to capture, measure and ring these birds.
Large prey
Wild eagle‑owls tend to target relatively large prey, including crows, pigeons, rats, rabbits, ducks, hedgehogs and even other owl species. There are also recorded cases of eagle‑owls raiding fox dens to take the cubs. Their excellent night vision and silent flight make them exceptionally effective hunters at dusk and after dark.
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