Being able to participate in an encounter with an Eurasian eagle-owl was one of my favorite things on a recent trip to Ireland. You have the opportunity to see various birds of prey up close and personal at the Dingle Falconry Experience, located on the Dingle peninsula.
This bird is a female named “Fluffy.” Eurasian eagle-owls are one of the largest owls in the world. Females, which are larger than the males, measure 30 inches in length. This owl’s wingspan is typically 4 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2 inches.
The guides tell you about the life history of each species at Dingle Falconry Experience. In addition to the eagle-owl, they had an Irish barn owl, a peregrine falcon, and a Harris hawk the day I was there. You stand in a large circle and the birds fly to each participant’s gloved hand.
The Eurasian eagle-owl is brought to each participant. That’s because she is heavy! See our guide supporting my wrist when I’m holding Fluffy? Eurasian eagle-owls weigh 2.7 to 10.1 pounds, with females on the heavier end of the scale. Barn owls weigh 0.9 to 1.4 pounds in comparison.
If you’re ever in Dingle in County Kerry, Ireland, try to make time to participate in this unique experience. It’s one you will never forget! 😀
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Great Fiday pictures and story.
Thanks! She was a beautiful bird.
What a beautiful bird! Favors the Great Horned Owl a bit. I would love to hold one of these birds. Maybe I should look into becoming a Falconer...nah....too much work! Nice post and welcome to Bird Weekly. We actually have owls coming up on 10/16 so I hope you have more. I visited your "About Page" and how lucky you are to have spoken to a Pronghorn! I saw aliens in Texas at 10. True story! When I told my grandmother they were peaking in the open window of the bedroom while we were sleeping (only I wasn't), she said it was probably a cow. Cows don't glow! Of course no one believed me...but I saw it. Too scared to acknowledge it or talk to it. :)
Yes, she was beautiful. I have a few other owl pics so I'll try to remember to come back. Many of us have childhood memories that the adults around us never believed. We remember and those memories always stay with us. :)
I would love to see you come back & post your birds. Our memories are with us and sometimes an old photos is just what brings those memories back as if it were yesterday! :)
:)
Awww man I friggin love birds of prey!
She's gorgeous!
She was one impressive bird! 🦉
Beautiful
Definitely! Thanks.
What an impressive bird Fluffy is - though her name doesn't do her justice - and what an incredible experience it must have been, Siobhan.
It was fun and I agree, the name didn't quite fit such a regal bird.
Envious! Would love to have that experience!
It was a wonderful experience! 🙂
Wow, what a gift!
I'm glad we went there. It was one of my daughter's favorite stops on the trip as well.
Really beautiful bird.
Art
Yes, she was!
What a beautiful bird. Had no idea that they could weigh so much.
Yes, she was! I didn't know they were that heavy either.