Owl Howl

Hunters by Nature

Vision
Owls have proportionately large eyes to accommodate the ocular structure necessary for nighttime vision. Although night hunting is typical of owls, they can also see well in daylight.

Silent Flight
Owls’ wings account for the largest surface area relative to the body structure of other bird species. The size of their wings allows them to fly slowly and silently using only shallow wing beats; the downy surface and soft fringed edges of their wings also reduce noise in flight. Their broad wings provide enough lift to carry prey with relative ease. These are helpful characteristics in approaching prey.

Sensitive Hearing
Owls rely heavily on hearing to precisely locate prey; their ears are so sensitive that environmental noise can cause them to stop hunting. A thunderstorm or a snowmobile, for example, can have this effect.

Locating Prey
The owl’s wide head positions the ears far apart, which helps it easily estimate the horizontal location of a sound surface–that is, from side to side just as we use our ears. To catch prey, however, the owl must simultaneously determine the horizontal location and distance to arrive at the precise location of prey animals within microseconds.

Food Supply and Survival
Availability of prey animals fluctuates in cycles of abundance and decline, especially in the Arctic. When prey is scarce, northern owls often move into southerly regions.