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, "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" genus is also related to "Bubo", and is considered a "sister complex", with "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.