10. Verreaux's Eagle
The Verreaux's Eagle, also known as the Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, is a member of the family Owlidae and is the largest of the African owls. It is also the third heaviest owl in the world.
The Verreaux's Eagle is a very large and powerful owl. The male and female are similar in appearance, although the female is larger and heavier. The face is a dull white disc, with a black border. The typical ear tufts are short and shaggy. The eyes are dark brown, with pink above the eyelids, and the eyelashes are yellow-brown. The skin at the base of the bill is blue-gray, the bill is pale cream, and the base of the bill is gray. The feathers around the bill are slightly darker. The upperparts are pale grayish-brown, tending to milky white, with fine white streaks, and a series of white spots on the shoulders. The underparts are lighter grayish-brown, with very fine, dense streaks. The throat is white, prominent when calling. The toes are strong, horny gray, partially covered with feathers. The claws are dark brown, with black tips. The young are completely covered in creamy white feathers.
The length of the Verreaux's Eagle ranges from 60–66 cm with an average wingspan of 140 cm. The male weighs 1.6–2 kg, while the female weighs 2.5–3.2 kg. Standard measurements are: wing length 42–48 cm for males, 45–49 cm for females, tail length 22–27.5 cm for males, 23–27 cm for females, and tarsus 8 cm.
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