eagle owl

[Guest]

Pet owners in a UK city have been warned to be on guard following sightings of one of the biggest birds in the world on the loose.

An eagle owl was spotted in the leafy Cardiff suburb of Pontcanna, prompting one alarmed resident to call the RSPCA.

Despite the best efforts of the animal charity on Friday, the large and powerful bird of prey remained on the loose after further sightings in the locale and Canton area of the city.

It is thought the bird escaped from captivity.

Gethin Russell-Jones, spokesman for the RSPCA in Wales, told the South Wales Echo newspaper: "I would advise everyone definitely do not approach it. I don't need to describe it, if they have seen it they will know - it will be the biggest bird they have ever seen close up in their lives."

The Eagle Owl, which has a wingspan of up to 2m, is not native to Britain, preferring the forest and mountains of eastern Europe. It will catch anything from beetles to roe deer fawns on the ground and even sea birds in flight with its razor sharp talons.

 

Mr Russell-Jones told the newspaper: "If we do catch it, we would probably take it to the vet but what they would be able to do I don't know."

[PATTY BHOY]

train it to catch percy`s and sparrorhawks.

[OLDYELLOW]

it's a european eagle owl so definately native to europe which were apart of   , might of migrated from south of france more important was it male or female

[carlsberg]

have just read about it hope it stays around longer than the bristol one

[white logan]

Pet owners in a UK city have been warned to be on guard following sightings of one of the biggest birds in the world on the loose.

An eagle owl was spotted in the leafy Cardiff suburb of Pontcanna, prompting one alarmed resident to call the RSPCA.

Despite the best efforts of the animal charity on Friday, the large and powerful bird of prey remained on the loose after further sightings in the locale and Canton area of the city.

It is thought the bird escaped from captivity.

Gethin Russell-Jones, spokesman for the RSPCA in Wales, told the South Wales Echo newspaper: "I would advise everyone definitely do not approach it. I don't need to describe it, if they have seen it they will know - it will be the biggest bird they have ever seen close up in their lives."

The Eagle Owl, which has a wingspan of up to 2m, is not native to Britain, preferring the forest and mountains of eastern Europe. It will catch anything from beetles to roe deer fawns on the ground and even sea birds in flight with its razor sharp talons.

 

Mr Russell-Jones told the newspaper: "If we do catch it, we would probably take it to the vet but what they would be able to do I don't know."

 

 

they would have it destroyed , quietly of course

 

[Glassfeather]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090815/tuk-pet-owners-warned-over-eagle-owl-6323e80.html

[mark]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090815/tuk-pet-owners-warned-over-eagle-owl-6323e80.html

 

also been known to eat bop

[Glassfeather]

 

also been known to eat bop

 

Yeah I just found their approach to it interesting, as I considered the Eagle Owl to be a magnificent bird of prey, I've seen captive bred ones in flight, I never thought of them as a threat to domestic pets.  :-/

 

 

[pjc]

is this not a case for somebody to write a constructive article in favour of this magnificent bird to be sent to the local cardiff press pointing out the facts and what the RSPCA/RSPB'S takeing to the vet means?

[white logan]

 

Think its just there way of getting rid of them saying they are a threat   Got some silly women where i am getting big write up in the local newspaper because she reckons the seagulls are attacking her cat perhaps they take that up as their next good cause  ;D

 

nothing condeming will ever be said about the cat by the protectionist people , they bennifit greatly from dear old ladies remembering them in their wills

[white logan]

 

Another lot who get in plenty of money and got people in the right places  :-/

 

yep , the powers that be within the protectionist groups could not give a dam about "joe public" , they attained their degree's and when employed could not care about annimal welfare , they must make a few of the right noises but they only have one real concern , salery and final pennsion , all money with them and they are just like most others ! money grabbing to$$ers who tickle ears for more money

[DODC]

They can send it up hear, with a mate,I will build the pair a nest box.

[Guest Owen]

I think that is proof enough of the propaganda that the RSPB and the RSPCA are prepared to use to protect their beloved peregrines. I argued the other day, on another thread, that we need a Publicity Officer. I think everyone can see what I mean now.

Everyone who has an opinion on wildlife will talk about the "Balance in Nature". This includes the BOP lovers. But when it comes to the actual practice of suporting it, this is what we get. If left alone, Wild Eagle Owls will go about their business without interfering with pets. If it's pets they are worried about, it is the Goshawk that is most likely to cause problems there in the future. Ask anyone with small livestock living near wooded areas where they are living.  

[Guest IB]

If it is a wild bird, then it has the same protection as all other European birds under the 1981 Act .. what's good for the goose etc., RSPB / RSPCA can't have it both ways. If it is someone's bird that has got out, then it is someone's personal property; either way, it cannot be interfered with, or destroyed, by a vet or anyone else.

[sammy]

If it is a wild bird, then it has the same protection as all other European birds under the 1981 Act .. what's good for the goose etc., RSPB / RSPCA can't have it both ways. If it is someone's bird that has got out, then it is someone's personal property; either way, it cannot be interfered with, or destroyed, by a vet or anyone else.

 

thats true ian but in reality it aint these eejits are above the law and will do what ever they want its not native to this country and so will be destroyed and thats a fact and further more these type of birds are not the answer or maybe they are to the people who are pre[pared to sit on there erses and do nothing about it so think about it if you want to see pigeon racing survive then you have to do something about it  

[Guest TAMMY_1]

is this not a case for somebody to write a constructive article in favour of this magnificent bird to be sent to the local cardiff press pointing out the facts and what the RSPCA/RSPB'S takeing to the vet means?

 

are you volunteering Phil

[mark]

 

thats true ian but in reality it aint these eejits are above the law and will do what ever they want its not native to this country and so will be destroyed and thats a fact and further more these type of birds are not the answer or maybe they are to the people who are pre[pared to sit on there erses and do nothing about it so think about it if you want to see pigeon racing survive then you have to do something about it  

 

how two faced is that if its caught it might be put down. perhaps if it did kill a few bop they would know how must pigeon fanciers feel when they have there birds taken on a constant bases.

[pjc]

 

are you volunteering Phil

 

 

I don't know enough about the Tammy or i would, but its strange that all the do'ers on here that rant on about everything they do haven't responded to my sugestion but again this is the kind of thing a PR person should be reacting to within seconds of it being released.

[mark croker]

owen has the right frame of mind. they dont care about are pets, but if the eagle owl took a cat or a dog then  they need to do sumit,  no one cares about are birds that get eatin every day

[pjc]

I am pleased to hear somebody has taken up the sugestion to put the record straight in Cardiff before they all lock up there dogs and children in fear. If the record is corrected and locals are encouraged to watch this magnificent bird in flight without fear the RSPB etc will find it harder to remove the bird as questions will be asked!

[TACK3727]

Interseting read so far. The European Eagle Owl is the largest of the Owl species, although a it does have a close relative the Bengal Eagle Owl which is smaller. It's more than likely that the European Eagle Owl that has been spotted is an escaped Facloner's bird that has managed to find it's freedom, although wild Eagle Owls do appear in Britian having crossed the channel. If the Owl is an escaped captive bird it will be displaying a closed ring on one of it's legs and also maybe jesses ( Leather straps around it's leg/s that enable the Falconer to hold it secure) I believe that due to the location that the Owl has been seen that it is more than likely a captive bird that has escaped, through for whatever reason. Eagle Owls due breed in the wild in Britian and I am aware of 3 nesting sites, although non around the area of the reported Owl. The British breeding Owls are believed to be escaped captive birds who have succesfully adapted to life in the wild. I have flown and bred European Eagle Owls and I know what they are capable of killing, anything from a mouse to a small deer, if it's food then it will be killed and eaten. The Eagle Owl is not a threat to Racing Pigeons, due to the Pigeon's speed, although I do know from personally experience that hungry escaped Eagle Owl's have been known to attack small dogs and cats when pressed to do so. Where the European Eagle Owl is found in the wild it is the top of the food chain, including preying on other Birds Of Prey. If any escaped Bird Of Prey is found by the RSPCA or RSPB or handed into a vet they are not allowed to kill the bird unless suffering from serious injury, the bird will be handed onto to an experienced Bird Of Prey Keeper or sanctuary.

[Guest Owen]

I am sad to say that I think it will only be a matter of time before this Owl is spirited away. The one in Bristol seemed to have a lot of friends but that did'nt help the poor thing in the end.

I am not sure what, but there must be more done to protect birds like this. RSPB and RSPCA are probably amongst their worst enemies so we could'nt start there.

Would'nt be good if we could catch them at it and take them to Court. That would do their Public image no good at all.

[pjc]

I am sad to say that I think it will only be a matter of time before this Owl is spirited away. The one in Bristol seemed to have a lot of friends but that did'nt help the poor thing in the end.

I am not sure what, but there must be more done to protect birds like this. RSPB and RSPCA are probably amongst their worst enemies so we could'nt start there.

Would'nt be good if we could catch them at it and take them to Court. That would do their Public image no good at all.

 

If the owl gains enough friends then if it dassapears questions will be asked by more people and may even campaign for some to be released!

[Guest bigda]

i have never heared of the eagle owl taken anyones  small dog, and if the owl  is  active at night,  the dog in turn would  be a stray , and i doubt you have witnesses this and is only here say. as there aint  no living witness with proof, to  show that this is  the case  

[gorsy bank lofts]

how two faced of rspb  i know eagle owls love killing other raptors so hope it gets very fat.

as its a european eagle owl. thats protected by the rspbs own rules,bet thats when it suits them though.

ought to lobby them and get more released.after all they were native here.

 

lyndon