The World of Owls

Due to their structural differences, Owls are divided into two different families. There are 16 species of Barn Owls (Tytonidae) but the only one that is commonly known is the Common Barn Owl. The barn owls can be found in a wide variety of habitats. They can be seen in the deserts as well as the forests and reside in temperate climates as well as the tropics.

The Typical Owls (Strigidae) are often called the true owls. There are over a hundred different species with the smallest being the Elf Owl and the largest the Northern Hawk Owl. Like the Barn Owls, they can be found in a wide variety of habitats and climates.

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Owls have large, forward facing eyes. As they are unable to move their eyes within the sockets, they must turn their head to see right, left and up and down. Contrary to popular belief, they CANNOT rotate their head 360 degrees, can rotate it 270 degrees.

Owls have exceptional eyesight. Fixed in a forward facing position, they have better stereoscopic vision than most birds, which is vital when it comes to judging distances. Their eyes are large allowing for more light to enter giving them better night vision than most humans, but they can still see just fine in the daylight.

The only true disadvantage they have is the farsightedness caused by the binocular vision caused by the tubular shape of the eye. They can see clearly at a distance, but things up close are a blur.

The owl's night vision is phenomenal and so is its hearing. The ear tuffs owls such as the Eastern Screech-owl and the Great Horned Owls sport, is more illusion than reality. The owl's ears are located on the facial disc. The disc and the facial ruff which is made up of a double layer of packed feathers, act as a funnel. They are sensitive to a wide range of frequencies with an acute sensitivity to low frequencies. The resulting combinations give the owl exceptional hearing. Some can even hear their prey running under a blanket of snow.

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Most owls are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night and sleep during the day. They are carnivores and will hunt a wide variety of prey, ranging from small mammals such as mice and voles, to birds, lizards and insects. Their feathers with a stiff, comb like leading edge and soft fringes makes it possible for owls to glide through the air in near silence. Their unsuspecting prey don't realize the danger their in until it's too late.

Owls have four talons, two facing forward with another two facing backward. This enables the owl to capture its prey in flight. With its long, hooked bill, largely concealed by feathers, the owl rips its prey apart and consumes it.

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Owls completely consume their prey, but the bones, fur, and feathers cannot be digested. The waste doesn't pass through the body of the owl but is regurgitated in what is commonly referred to as an owl pellet. Pellets, also called castings, are formed in the owl's gizzard and expelled through the mouth. They are formed within six to ten hours of eating. Studying the owl's pellets can tell us a lot about the Owl and the state of the habitat in which it resides.

Owls often utilize cavities in trees to raise their young and to sleep/hide during daylight hours. The female, often larger than the male, usually raises the young with little help from the male. But the pair-bond will remain together throughout the breeding season.

Most Owls are non-migratory and occupy the same territory throughout the years. When food is scarce, the pair may not breed or produce a smaller clutch.

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As with so many birds, some owl populations are at risk due to habitat destruction. Clear cutting and forest fragmentation are a constant problem. In areas where pesticides have been used to control the rodent populations, prey becomes scares and residual pesticides make its way up the food chain. The impact is not always readily apparent but devastating in the long run.

Conservation groups have picked up the gauntlet and are making headway in some areas. Nest boxes and platforms have provided nesting sites for some Owls, but the populations that depend on tree cavities and other natural nest sites are declining. Protecting their habitat is the best protection we can provide for the owls.

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