Eurasian eagle-owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl is a member of the genus "Bubo", which may include either 22 or 25 extant species. Almost all the larger owl species in the world today are included in "Bubo". Based on an extensive fossil record and a central distribution of extant species on that continent, the "Bubo" appears to have evolved into existence in Africa, although early radiations seem to branch from southern Asia as well. Two genera belonging to the scops owls complex, the giant scops owls ("Otus gurneyi") found in Asia and the "Ptilopsis" or the white-faced scops owl found in Africa, although firmly ensconced in the scops owl group, appear to share some characteristics with the eagle-owls. The "Strix" is also related to the "Bubo" and is considered a "sister complex", with the "Pulsatrix" possibly being intermediate between the two. The Eurasian eagle-owl appears to represent an expansion of the genus "Bubo" into the Eurasian continent. A few of the other species of "Bubo" seem to have been derived from the Eurasian eagle-owl, making it a "paraspecies", or they at least share a relatively recent common ancestor. The Pharaoh eagle-owl, distributed in the Arabian Peninsula and sections of the Sahara Desert through North Africa where rocky outcrops are found, was until recently considered a subspecies of the Eurasian eagle-owl. It appears that the Pharaoh eagle-owl differs about 3.8% in mitochondrial DNA from the Eurasian eagle-owl, well past the minimum genetic difference to differentiate species of 1.5%. Smaller and paler than Eurasian eagle-owls, the Pharaoh can also be considered a distinct species largely due to its higher pitched and more descending call and the observation that Eurasian eagle-owls formerly found in Morocco ("B. b. hispanus") apparently did not breed with the co-existing Pharaoh eagle-owls. On the contrary, the race still found together with the Pharaoh eagle-owl in the wild ("B. b. interpositus") in the central Middle East has been found to interbreed in the wild with the Pharaoh eagle-owl, although genetical materials have indicated "interpositus" may itself be a distinct species from the Eurasian eagle-owl, as it differs from the nominate subspecies of the Eurasian eagle-owl by 2.8% in mitochondrial DNA. The Indian eagle-owl was also considered a subspecies of Eurasian eagle-owl until recently, but its smaller size, distinct voice (more clipped and high-pitched than Eurasians), and the fact that it is largely allopatric in distribution (filling out the Indian subcontinent) with other Eurasian eagle-owl races has led to it being considered a distinct species. The mitochondrial DNA of the Indian species also appears considerably distinct from the Eurasian species. The Cape eagle-owl ("B. capensis") appears to represent a return of this genetic line back into the African continent, where it leads a lifestyle similar to northern eagle-owls albeit far to the south. Another offshoot of the northern "Bubo" group is the snowy owl. It appears to have separated from other "Bubo" at least 4 million years ago.
Spot-bellied eagle-owl
This is a very powerful and bold predatory owl, which is assuredly at the top of the avian food chain in its forested range. However, no extensive study of its dietary habits is known. Even in larger eagle-owls such as the Eurasian eagle-owl, although they can and do prey on a wide range of prey including impressively large prey, most of the diet consists of small mammals, often small rodents such as voles and rats. There is no reason to assume that the spot-bellied eagle-owl does not also take a very large quantity of relatively small prey such as rodents until complete dietary studies are known. However, almost all of the prey thus far reported for this species is very large and impressive, much of it being presumably as heavy or heavier than the eagle-owls themselves. Due to being most widely reported as being chased and eaten by spot-bellied eagle-owls has led some authors to list their primary prey as pheasants. Among these, junglefowl ("Gallus" sp.) and kalij pheasants ("Lophura leucomelanos"), both weighing from , are commonly eaten, as well as Indian peafowl ("Pavo cristatus"), which can weigh anything from . The spot-bellied eagle-owl pounces on gamebirds while they're asleep on their perches in trees or bamboo clumps, often killing them in seconds with their powerful talons. Cases, where they've followed peafowl to their roosts and then pulled them out at sundown, have been reported. It also consumes an array of mammals, from small rodents to large prey such as apparent adults of golden jackals ("Canis aureus"), hares ("Lepus" ssp.), large Indian civets ("Viverra zibetha"), Indian spotted chevrotains ("Moschiola indica"), and even young muntjacs ("Muntiacus" sp.). These larger mammals are likely as much as or even more. While most reported prey appear to be largely terrestrial, they are known to capture arboreal prey including Indian giant squirrel ("Ratufa indica") and juvenile purple-faced langur ("Trachypithecus vetulus"). Additionally, they are considered a potential threat to toque monkeys ("Macaca sinica"), and one apparently caught an Indian flying fox ("Pteropus giganteus") from its tree roost. Due to the capture of diurnal prey such as giant squirrel, partial daytime foraging habits have been inferred for the spot-bellied eagle owl. They will also opportunistically prey upon snakes, lizards (including large monitor lizards) and fish. Like several of the eagle-owls and fish owls but unlike most owls, the spot-bellied eagle-owl has been recorded as feeding on carrion. Thus far, they've been seen feeding on the carcases of goats ("Capra aegagrus hircus") and tigers ("Panthera tigris").