hibou grand-duc vs loup

Bubo bubo compared with Canis lupus

Key Differences

  • hibou grand-duc is Endangered while loup is Critically Endangered.
  • loup is 15.0x heavier than hibou grand-duc.
  • hibou grand-duc lives longer (20 years vs 13 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank hibou grand-duc loup
Kingdom same Animalia (animal) Animalia (animal)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class Aves (oiseau) Mammalia (mammifères)
Order Strigiformes (Owls) Carnivora (carnivores)
Family Strigidae (True Owls) Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus Bubo (Eagle Owls) Canis (Dogs & Wolves)
Species Bubo bubo Canis lupus

Evolutionary Relationship

hibou grand-duc and loup share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

hibou grand-duc

EN — Endangered

Population: ~400.0K

Trend: Stable →

loup

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute hibou grand-duc loup
Diet Carnivore Carnivore
Average Lifespan 20 years 13 years
Average Length 70 cm 1.6 m
Average Weight 3.0 kg 45.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

hibou grand-duc

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, flooded grasslands and savannas, and montane grasslands and shrublands, among 4 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm.

Range

Found across Europe (9 countries) and South America (Ecuador). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

loup

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deserts and xeric shrublands, and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, among 13 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles), Asia (Japan), Europe (5 countries), North America (7 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Vanuatu), and South America (5 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

hibou grand-duc

The world's largest owl species by height and weight, Eurasian eagle-owls have wingspans up to 1.9 meters and inhabit rocky landscapes, forest edges, and cliffs from Europe across Asia to China. Silent nocturnal hunters with powerful talons, they prey on rabbits, hares, foxes, and even other raptors. Their deep, resonant hooting carries over great distances. Relatively stable in population, though persecuted historically.

loup

The most widely distributed wild canid, gray wolves range from North America across Eurasia in diverse habitats including tundra, forests, and grasslands. Highly social animals living in family packs led by a dominant breeding pair. As keystone predators, wolves regulate prey populations and profoundly shape ecosystem structure, as demonstrated by their reintroduction in Yellowstone. Once heavily persecuted, populations are recovering in many regions.

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