Owls are a group of birds of prey. Most are solitary and
nocturnal, with some exceptions(e.g. the Burrowing Owl). They are
classified in the order Strigiformes, in which there are over 200
extant species. Owls mostly hunt small mammals, insects, and other
birds, though a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are
found in all regions of the Earth except Antarctica, most of
Greenland, and some remote islands. Though owls are typically
solitary, the literary collective noun for a group of owls is a
parliament.
The living owls are divided into two families: the typical owls,
Strigidae, and the barn-owls, Tytonidae.
External appearance
A horned owl, genus bubo.Owls have large forward-facing eyes and
ears, a hawk-like beak, and usually a conspicuous circle of
feathers around each eye called a facial disc. Although owls have
binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as
with other birds, and they must turn their entire head to change
views.
Owls are far-sighted, and are unable to clearly see anything
within a few inches of their eyes. Their far vision, particularly
in low light, is incredibly good, and they can turn their head 135
degrees in either direction; they can thus look behind their own
shoulders. It is not correct, however, that they can turn the head
so far as to face completely backwards.
Different species of owls make different sounds; the wide range
of calls aids owl species in finding mates or announcing their
presence to potential competitors, and ornithologists and birders
in locating these birds and recognizing species. The facial disc
helps to funnel the sound of prey to their ears. In many species,
these are placed asymmetrically, for better directional location
(Norberg, 1977).
Behavior
Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting for prey only under
cover of darkness. Several types of owl, however, are crepuscular,
or active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk; one example
is the pygmy owl (Glaucidium). A few owls are also active during
the day; examples are the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) and
the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus).
Much of the owl's hunting strategy depends on stealth and
surprise. Owls have at least two adaptations that aid them in
achieving stealth. First, the dull coloration of an owl's feathers
can render them almost invisible under certain conditions.
Secondly, the owl's remiges, or flight feathers, have fluffy
trailing edges, muffling the owl's wingbeats and allowing its
flight to be practically silent. Some fish-eating owls, which have
no need of silence, lack this adaptation. Elf owls also lack the
feathers for silent flying.
Once prey has been captured, the owl's sharp beak and powerful
clawed feet allow it to tear the food to pieces before eating, even
though most items are swallowed whole. Scientists studying the
diets of owls are helped by their habit of regurgitating the
indigestible parts of their prey (bones, scales, fur, etc.) in the
form of pellets. These "owl pellets" are often sold by companies to
schools to be dissected by students as a lesson in biology and
ecology, because they are plentiful and easy to interpret.
Owl eggs are white and almost spherical, and range in number
from a few to a dozen, depending on species. Their nests are
crudely built and may be in trees, underground burrows, or in barns
and caves.
The smallest owl is the Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi), at as
little as 31 g (1.1 oz) and 13.5 cm (5.3 inches). Some of the pygmy
owls are scarcely larger. The largest owls are the two of the eagle
owls, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and Blanston's Fish Owl
(Bubo blanstoni), which may reach a size of 76.2 cm (30 in) long,
have a wingspan of just over 2 m (6.6 ft), and weigh of nearly 4.5
kg (10 lb).
The Fremont Owl Sanctuary has caused some controversy.
Some feel the establishment is exploitive of the owls. The owner of
this cache advises parents to inspect the area before bringing
kids.
Congratulations to raynman21 on
collecting the FTF.