What Eats Owls? Ultimate List Of Owl Predators And Enemies

Owls feed on a large number of animal species as prey.

The owl flies over its prey and hunts them down with its predatory powers. But other birds and animals also hunt down these flying predators.

But even these powers fail sometimes, and these owls get attacked and eaten by other animals. What eats owls? Who is among the list of predators of this predator? Let us find out. Afterward, also read about what eats jellyfish and what do oysters eat?

What eats owls in the forest?

Owls are seen at the top of the food chain and rarely have any natural predators. Though Owls do not have many predators, a few animals will prey on them. These species of birds do have their share of predators. On that note, who eats owls in the forest?

The adult owls are species with sharp claws and sharp talons. Their silent flight and sharp features make them predators. This bird species has more than one link in the food chain.

But at the same time, these owl predator has other predators. The predators that eat owls range from foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and some other animals. Although adult owls rarely get eaten, we cannot say the same about baby owls.

The baby owls make good food options for other animals. The baby owls seen in the owl’s nest on the top of tree hollows are attacked by rodents, skunks, snakes, squirrels, crows, and even other owls.

The owl eggs and the small owls are hunting grounds for many small mammals and small birds. Since the baby owls are weaker compared to the adult owls with powerful talons, they become prey to many small animals and large animals alike.

Adult owls eat and rarely get eaten, but they are not immune to an attack. These predators can become prey to other predators.

List Of Owl Predators

The owl species are well-known predators. The great horned owls are ferocious predators compared to other owls, but even these great horned owls can become prey to other animals. What are some of the common predators of the owl species?

Most owls attack smaller birds and larger birds alike, but there are predators that eat this ferocious predator. Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, black bears can hunt an owl if needed, though many owls can escape these predators easily. But, sometimes, they can get trapped too.

These animals eat owls and can be seen as the owl’s natural predators. Adult owls become less of food for other animals. It is the baby owls that are more prone to such hunting of predators.

A much more comprehensive range of predators is seen for the baby owls. Sometimes even the same species attack the baby owls. Owls are very territorial birds. Owls like snowy owls and great horned owls will attack other owls.

This happens mainly due to the food. If an area has more owls, then it means there will be less food. Owls eat the baby owls or attack and kill them as a solution to prevent such a case.

List Of Owl Enemies

Adult owls have more enemies than friends. The owl enemy lists consist mainly of other birds. Nothing less should be expected from this predator.

The owl has many enemies thanks to the extreme territorial behavior that these species have. They often pick up a fight with other larger birds over territory. Hawks and eagles are the common birds seen in the fight. The disputes that owls have with hawks and eagles are mainly over territory.

The owl becomes prey to these hawks and eagles. The fight between them can lead to an injury or death. Apart from these birds, owls also become prey to other owls.

The two families of the same species can have a great fight over territory. In such cases, owls become both the enemy and victim. But not all owls are the same.

Owls like barn owls eat rodents and other small insects and live a quiet life. A Barn owl can be more of prey to other owls. But a snowy owl or great horned owl won’t sit calmly when it comes to attacking other owls.

They are highly territorial. But among other animals, the biggest enemy of an owl is humans. Humans are the biggest enemy of owls.

With the urban areas increasing day by day, owls are left with very few nesting and hunting places. When their habitat is gone, the disputes become more between these birds. Human invasion is a significant threat to owls.

Do eagles eat owls?

Some large birds like eagles and hawks are predators of owls. But do they attack owls to eat them? No, they don’t.

We have already discussed how territorial disputes end up as attacks between birds. Eagles and owls engage in such attacks. The eagles don’t eat adult owls. They fight with each other but rarely become the food of an eagle.

Although, the eggs of the owl can become food for eagles. We should also note that owls are not always the prey, even during an eagle attack. An extremely dangerous predator owl such as the great horned owl can win over the eagles also.

The sharp claws and silent flight of the bird can be an advantage in such attacks. Whatever the case, eagles hunt down owls over territory disputes and not to eat them. These two birds occupy the top level of the food chain, and the fight between them would be deadly enough to kill the other.

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