Laura Erickson's For the Birds

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is often described as the largest owl in the world, though Blakiston’s Fish Owl of China, Japan, and far eastern Russia is slightly heavier on average, and the much more lightweight Great Gray Owl is slightly longer on average. That in and of itself is cool. The eagle owl’s mesmerizing orange eyes make it even cooler. And it’s icing on the cake that J.K. Rowling chose an eagle owl as the Malfoy family owl, delivering sweets to Draco during his first year at Hogwarts.

Eurasian Eagle-Owls are probably not native to Great Britain but have been introduced there where they’ve established a growing population.