One of the big surprises of our Tanzanian safari was the encounter with these, Verraux's eagle owls, the biggest owls of Africa. The female, which is the largest, can weigh almost 3 kg and has a wingspan of 140 cm. Besides the typical eagle owl-like appearance, this species is characterized by its pink eyelids and white patches on the shoulders. These owls inhabit the semi-deserts and savannas of Africa, but do not thrive in dense rainforest. They feed on small mammals and larger birds. The female takes responsibility for incubation and protection of the newborn chicks while the male supplies the rest of the family with food.