Common name: Arabian Eagle-Owl
Scientific name:Bubo milesi
Family: Strigidae

Size:
Body length: 45–50 cm
Wingspan: 100–120 cm
Weight: approximately 1–1.5 kg

Identification:
A large owl with prominent ear tufts, bright yellow eyes, and heavily mottled brown and buff plumage that provides excellent camouflage against rocky landscapes. The facial disc is pale with darker markings, and the underparts show streaking and spotting. When perched, it appears compact but powerful, with strong talons and a broad head typical of eagle-owls.

Habitat:
Primarily associated with rocky mountain environments, including wadis, cliffs, escarpments, and boulder fields within the Hajar Mountain range. It favors remote areas with natural cavities and ledges suitable for nesting and roosting.

Status in the UAE:
Scarce resident species restricted mainly to the Hajar Mountains of eastern UAE. The species was only confirmed in the country in 2017, and surveys have identified a small number of territories in remote mountainous habitats. Its secretive and nocturnal behavior means it is rarely observed.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on a variety of prey including small mammals, birds, reptiles, and large insects. The species is an opportunistic hunter capable of taking diverse prey depending on local availability.

Behavior:
Primarily nocturnal. During the day it roosts quietly on rocky ledges or within trees, remaining well concealed by its cryptic plumage. At night it hunts from elevated perches, using exceptional hearing and silent flight to detect prey.

Conservation status:
Not globally threatened but considered rare and localized within the UAE. Its population is likely small and dependent on the protection of intact mountain ecosystems.