Owls rule the night with specialized biological tools that no other bird possesses. While most people recognize their haunting hoots, these predators hide incredible superpowers beneath their soft feathers. For instance, some species hunt in total darkness using only their hearing. Furthermore, they can rotate their heads almost in a full circle without cutting off their blood supply. Prepare to meet the ghosts of the forest.
Owls
Their eyes are actually shaped like tubes rather than spheres. Because of this shape, they cannot move their eyes inside their sockets at all. Thus, they must turn their entire head to see anything on their periphery.
Most species possess asymmetrical ears located at different heights on their skull. This uneven placement allows them to pinpoint the exact location of a sound in three-dimensional space. Consequently, they can catch a mouse moving under a foot (30 centimeters) of snow.
They can rotate their necks an incredible 270 degrees. They possess 14 neck vertebrae, which is double the amount found in humans. Moreover, they have a special blood pooling system that keeps their brain fueled during these extreme twists.
Their feathers feature a soft, fringed edge that muffles the sound of air. This unique structure breaks up the turbulence into smaller currents to eliminate noise. As a result, they can swoop down on prey in total silence.
A group of owls carries the official name of a parliament. This term likely originated from the ancient association between owls and wisdom. Indeed, many cultures still view these birds as symbols of knowledge and strategy.
Not all owls hoot to communicate. Barn owls make terrifying hissing sounds, while screech owls produce a noise similar to a horse’s whinny. Some species even sound like a saw being sharpened on a stone.
They swallow their prey whole or in large chunks. Since they cannot chew, their stomach compresses the fur and bones into a tight ball. Eventually, the owl coughs up this indigestible pellet once or twice a day.
The Elf Owl is the smallest species in the world. It measures only 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 centimeters) tall and weighs less than an egg. Specifically, it often makes its home inside holes in giant cacti.
Conversely, the Blakiston’s Fish Owl is the largest owl on the planet. It can have a wingspan of over 6 feet (1.9 meters) and a weight of nearly 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms). This massive bird possesses enough strength to catch a salmon twice its own weight.
They have three different sets of eyelids. One lid helps them blink, the second works for sleeping, and the third is a translucent membrane for cleaning the eye. This third lid protects their vision during high-speed dives.
Many owls are zygodactyl, meaning they have four toes on each foot. They can move one of their back toes forward to help them grip branches or prey more effectively. This versatile foot design gives them a massive advantage during a hunt.
Some species actually hunt during the day. The Northern Hawk Owl and the Snowy Owl often fly in the sunlight to find food. This behavior occurs most frequently in the Arctic where the sun does not set in the summer.
They are masters of camouflage. Their feather patterns often mimic the texture and color of tree bark or dried leaves. Therefore, they can sleep in plain sight during the day without attracting predators.
They occasionally hunt other owls. Specifically, the Great Horned Owl is the top predator of the smaller Barred Owl. This “owl-on-owl” predation helps control the populations of different species in the same forest.
Finally, the Burrowing Owl lives underground in holes abandoned by prairie dogs. They even decorate the entrance of their homes with cow dung to attract beetles for a quick snack. Indeed, they are one of the few owl species that rarely fly into trees.
