It’s no secret that owls are one of the most fascinating animals on the planet. From their large, luminous eyes to their remarkable plumage, these birds are truly unique creatures. If you’re an owl fanatic, then this list of owl facts you didn’t know will make your day!
What Do They Look Like?
Owls are considered birds of prey, but that doesn’t mean they all have feathers or talons like their bird-of-prey cousins. Owls can be as small as a sparrow or as large as a hawk. They typically have large eyes, which is another trait they share with many other predatory birds. Owls are known for having facial discs, which give them amazing hearing and impressive binocular vision. Each species has its face, complete with distinctive markings and feathers; learn more about Owl facts here!
What is Their Behavior?
Owls have an interesting relationship with humans. Not only are they found on jewelry and in pictures, but they are one of our most common symbols. The owl has been a part of our culture for thousands of years. To say that people love owls is an understatement! But what do we know about these birds? How do they act? What do they eat? Where do they live? And why are there so many different kinds of them?
Where Do They Live?
A group of owls is called a parliament. The familiar Who cooks for you? or Who washes up for you? probably taken from Edward Lear's famous The Owl and the Pussycat line. They have excellent hearing and can hunt in total darkness using sonar, but their vision is not as strong as many other birds of prey. Most owls are active at night and use an acute sense of hearing to locate their prey, which consists mainly of small mammals, although a few species specialize in hunting birds. Some species are well adapted to urban environments and can thrive in human structures like barns, houses, or even cities.
How Many Species Are There?
There are 200 species of owl, making them one of our planet's most diverse orders. It's surprising how many owl facts exist given their nocturnal nature. An oft-repeated fact is that owls are found on every continent except Antarctica and they live in nearly every habitat except rainforests, polar regions, and deserts. Owl species include both diurnal (active during daylight) and nocturnal (active at night) birds, including those that are partially crepuscular (that is, mostly active at dawn or dusk). Some owls have even adapted to life in a city environment!
How Big Do They Get?
The northern pygmy owl is only five to six inches tall. But despite its relatively small size, the pygmy owl still has a wingspan of about 22 inches — large enough to support a deer about half its weight. Some other cool facts about owl birds include: All species of owl are nocturnal, which means they're most active during evening hours. Unlike other birds of prey (including hawks and eagles), owl's eyes are fixed in their sockets; meaning that an owl can't look at different objects with both eyes at once, making depth perception tough. For comparison, humans can see three-dimensional images with both eyes by fusing what we see with each eye into one image.
Why Do They Have Those Large Eyes?
Owls are equipped with large eyes for better night vision and to hunt at night. Each owl species has its unique eye disc; or facial disk. The special shape of these facial disks helps them pick up on minute movements, even in low light conditions. Owl birds are said to have 30/7 vision, which is a ratio saying they can see clearly up to 30 times closer than what a human can see at seven meters away. We may not be able to fly like them, but owls sure have some amazing abilities! Although they do eat insects and small rodents, they sometimes prey on other birds or mammals as well!
What Do They Eat?
Owls don’t just hunt mice and voles. They also eat insects, fish, birds, bats, small mammals, and even carrion. What might come as a surprise is that some owl species are nocturnal hunters, so their dinner might come from a bush that was alive only hours before. Owl Facts: Their Eyesight Owl eyes are large in comparison to their body size; however, they’re still not considered large compared to other birds of prey.
How Do I Protect Them In My Backyard?
Owls are beautiful birds that can serve as a welcome addition to any backyard. If you are thinking of installing an owl in your home, it is important to understand how you can protect yourself and other wildlife from human invaders. A good fence is an excellent way to keep deer, raccoons, and other pests out of your backyard so that you can rest easy knowing that your owl or bird has its haven. Owl deterrents like scents and noises may also be useful in keeping unwanted visitors away from a nesting area. Before bringing an owl into your home, learn more about how you can properly protect them with these tips.
