Fun facts about the Owl
|
PAGE AMBASSADOR
Badges & Rewards |
TOPICS
owl facts
Learn more about working with owls by looking at topics such as Basic Facts, Taxonomy, Anatomy, Behaviour, Habitat, Diet, Ecological Benefits and Conservation
Basic Facts
Average Height |
13.5 to 84 cm (5 to 33 in) |
Fastest Flying Speed |
64 km/h ( 40 mph) |
Average Weight |
31 g to 4.2 kg (1 oz to 9.3 lbs) |
Distinguishing Features |
Large eyes, facial disc, a hooked beak and sharp talons |
Average Lifespan |
1 to 20 years in the wild |
Conservation Status |
6 species Critical 17% Endangered |
Average Offspring |
2 to 7 chicks |
Estimated Global Population |
Not yet calculated |
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: 2 - Strigidae (True Owls) and Tytonidae (Barn Owls)
Genus: 26 Genera
Species: about 200 different species
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: 2 - Strigidae (True Owls) and Tytonidae (Barn Owls)
Genus: 26 Genera
Species: about 200 different species
Anatomy of The Owl
Anatomy is the different parts of an organism (animal or plant) that work together to form the organism. It's also the study of these different parts and how they interact. Knowledge of the anatomy of animals is important for many animal related careers, especially if you are following a scientific career.
Body:
Owls are one of only a few birds species where the females are actually larger than the males, by an average 25%.Owls tend to mimic the coloration and sometimes even the texture patterns of their surroundings
Wings:
Most owls share an innate ability to fly almost silently and also more slowly in comparison to other birds of prey.The feather adaption that allows silent flight means that barn owl feathers are not waterproof.Owls fly silently, but their feathers will make noise if they are not kept clean.
Legs:
Caught prey can be felt by owls with the use of filoplumes—hairlike feathers on the beak and feet that act as "feelers". The crushing power of an owl’s talons varies according to prey size and type, and by the size of the owl.The family Tytonidae has inner and central toes of about equal length, while the family Strigidae has an inner toe that is distinctly shorter than the central one
Head:
Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as 270°. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae compared to seven in humans, which makes their necks more flexible.The beak of the owl is short, curved, and downward-facing, and typically hooked at the tip for gripping and tearing its prey.
Eyes:
Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets—as are those of most other birds—so they must turn their entire heads to change views. Owls are known for their dis-proportionally large eyes in comparison to their skulls.However, owls are farsighted and cannot focus on objects within a few centimeters of their eyes.
Ears:
Owls exhibit specialized hearing functions and ear shapes that also aid in hunting. They are noted for asymmetrical ear placements on the skull in some genera. Asymmetrical ear placement on the skull allows the owl to pinpoint the location of its prey.The facial disk also acts to direct sound into the ears.
Owls are one of only a few birds species where the females are actually larger than the males, by an average 25%.Owls tend to mimic the coloration and sometimes even the texture patterns of their surroundings
Wings:
Most owls share an innate ability to fly almost silently and also more slowly in comparison to other birds of prey.The feather adaption that allows silent flight means that barn owl feathers are not waterproof.Owls fly silently, but their feathers will make noise if they are not kept clean.
Legs:
Caught prey can be felt by owls with the use of filoplumes—hairlike feathers on the beak and feet that act as "feelers". The crushing power of an owl’s talons varies according to prey size and type, and by the size of the owl.The family Tytonidae has inner and central toes of about equal length, while the family Strigidae has an inner toe that is distinctly shorter than the central one
Head:
Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as 270°. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae compared to seven in humans, which makes their necks more flexible.The beak of the owl is short, curved, and downward-facing, and typically hooked at the tip for gripping and tearing its prey.
Eyes:
Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets—as are those of most other birds—so they must turn their entire heads to change views. Owls are known for their dis-proportionally large eyes in comparison to their skulls.However, owls are farsighted and cannot focus on objects within a few centimeters of their eyes.
Ears:
Owls exhibit specialized hearing functions and ear shapes that also aid in hunting. They are noted for asymmetrical ear placements on the skull in some genera. Asymmetrical ear placement on the skull allows the owl to pinpoint the location of its prey.The facial disk also acts to direct sound into the ears.
|
Next Path Level links:
- Follow the links to progress to the next Path Levels and build on your knowledge. |
Habitat
Habitat is the place animals occur, looking at the different countries and regions, as well as the kind of ecosystem the animals prefer to stay in. It also looks at the home range of certain animals (the area an animal lives and moves around in every day). It's important to understand where certain animals live, as it could determine which careers to follow, if you want to work directly with these animals.
|
Distribution:
Owls are found on all continents except Antarctica. Territory Range: Estimates of territory range vary based on species, nesting density and food supply. Ranges can be on average 3 square kilometers (one square mile). |
Source: Wikipedia.org
|
Habitat:
Owls live in a variety of habitats, including coniferous forests, mountains, deserts, and plains. The snowy owl lives in the cold tundra in the north. The distribution of specific species depends on the climate, food sources, and other variables.
Owls live in a variety of habitats, including coniferous forests, mountains, deserts, and plains. The snowy owl lives in the cold tundra in the north. The distribution of specific species depends on the climate, food sources, and other variables.
|
Next Path Level links:
- Follow the links to progress to the next Path Levels and build on your knowledge. |
Behaviour
Animal Behavior is the scientific study of the ways in which animals interact with each other, with other living beings, and with the environment. The knowledge of the behaviour of the species you want to work with is important. Knowledge of animal behaviour forms the foundation of almost all known animal related careers.
Temperament:
These birds are raptors that live and hunt independently.
Movement:
Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting their prey in darkness.
Communication:
Different species of owls produce different sounds; this distribution of calls aids owls in finding mates or announcing their presence to potential competitors. When relaxed, the plumage is loose and fluffy. If an owl becomes alarmed, it will become slim, its feathers pulled in tightly to the body, and ear-tufts, if any, will stand straight up.When protecting young or defending itself, an Owl may assume a "threat" or defensive posture, with feathers ruffled to increase apparent size. The head may be lowered, and wings spread out and pointing down.
Reproduction:
Fertilization in birds occur, similar to humans, internally. Most owl species are monogamous (male and female stay together). Most owls reach sexual maturity and are ready to reproduce about a year after they hatch. Some larger species, however, may not begin breeding until their second or third year. Owls lay between one and thirteen eggs, depending on the species and also on the particular season; for most, however, three or four is the more common number. The average incubation (time for the chick to form) is around thirty days, during which the breeding pair will vigorously defend the nest.
These birds are raptors that live and hunt independently.
Movement:
Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting their prey in darkness.
Communication:
Different species of owls produce different sounds; this distribution of calls aids owls in finding mates or announcing their presence to potential competitors. When relaxed, the plumage is loose and fluffy. If an owl becomes alarmed, it will become slim, its feathers pulled in tightly to the body, and ear-tufts, if any, will stand straight up.When protecting young or defending itself, an Owl may assume a "threat" or defensive posture, with feathers ruffled to increase apparent size. The head may be lowered, and wings spread out and pointing down.
Reproduction:
Fertilization in birds occur, similar to humans, internally. Most owl species are monogamous (male and female stay together). Most owls reach sexual maturity and are ready to reproduce about a year after they hatch. Some larger species, however, may not begin breeding until their second or third year. Owls lay between one and thirteen eggs, depending on the species and also on the particular season; for most, however, three or four is the more common number. The average incubation (time for the chick to form) is around thirty days, during which the breeding pair will vigorously defend the nest.
|
Next Path Level links:
- Follow the links to progress to the next Path Levels and build on your knowledge. |
Diet
The different kinds of animals have different kinds of diets. What they eat, how they acquire their food, and the ways they eat are important to understand animals. Certain careers focus primarily on the dietary habits and requirements of animals, such as Nutritionists.
Prey:
Owls are carnivorous (flesh eating) hunters. The diet for owls depends on the location where they live. This includes spiders, insects, snails, crabs, fish, small reptiles, small amphibians, various types of smaller mammals, and even other birds.
Hunting:
Much of the owls' hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise
Feeding Methods:
regurgitating the indigestible parts of their prey (such as bones, scales, and fur) in the form of pellets.
Owls are carnivorous (flesh eating) hunters. The diet for owls depends on the location where they live. This includes spiders, insects, snails, crabs, fish, small reptiles, small amphibians, various types of smaller mammals, and even other birds.
Hunting:
Much of the owls' hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise
Feeding Methods:
regurgitating the indigestible parts of their prey (such as bones, scales, and fur) in the form of pellets.
|
Next Path Level links:
- Follow the links to progress to the next Path Levels and build on your knowledge. |
Ecological Benefits
Everything in nature is there for a reason, and work together to form balance. If one species is removed, it could create problems in the lives of others, and the ecosystem could collapse. Knowledge of the ecological advantages of each species is important, and leads to an understanding of the importance of conservation efforts. Careers in conservation, education and scientific study focus a lot on ecological benefits.
Population Control:
Owls are the best natural pest control, preying on different kinds of rodents that would otherwise explode in numbers and cause damage to the environment.
Owls are the best natural pest control, preying on different kinds of rodents that would otherwise explode in numbers and cause damage to the environment.
|
Next Path Level links:
- Follow the links to progress to the next Path Levels and build on your knowledge. |
Conservation Status
Conservation means to protect and care for species (whether plants or animals). It's about understanding the importance of each and every species, and wanting them to live free and healthy in their wild environment. There are many conservation related careers, spanning across education, scientific studies, animal health, law and enforcement. Most conservation careers are connected to animal organizations, such as zoos, national parks, aquariums, game parks etc.
Status:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists several species as Critically Endangered with only a few individuals left. The estimated population of owls in the world is extremely difficult to define, as little more than 30% of the species have been counted or given a rough estimate.
Threats:
Natural predators of owls include foxes, badgers, wild cats and dogs, as well as larger birds of prey (eagles and hawks). A small percentage of their eggs are also prayed upon by rodents, snakes and squirrels. Threats caused by humans include habitat destruction, poisoning and hunting.
Conservation Efforts:
All owls are listed in Appendix II of the international CITES treaty (the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Zoological Care:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists several species as Critically Endangered with only a few individuals left. The estimated population of owls in the world is extremely difficult to define, as little more than 30% of the species have been counted or given a rough estimate.
Threats:
Natural predators of owls include foxes, badgers, wild cats and dogs, as well as larger birds of prey (eagles and hawks). A small percentage of their eggs are also prayed upon by rodents, snakes and squirrels. Threats caused by humans include habitat destruction, poisoning and hunting.
Conservation Efforts:
All owls are listed in Appendix II of the international CITES treaty (the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Zoological Care:
|
Next Path Level links:
- Follow the links to progress to the next Path Levels and build on your knowledge. |
search for a specific species
fun content for juniors
- Owls are active at night (nocturnal)
- Some owl species hunt fish
- Owls are farsighted, meaning they can’t see things close to their eyes clearly
- Owls can't move their eyes like humans, so they need to move their heads around to see
- Owls do not make good pets
- Barn Owls can eat as much as 1,000 mice a year
different careers in working with owls
Do you want to work with owls? There are over 400 careers in working with animals, and many of them involve working with wildlife. Here are some of the careers that might interest you. You may also visit our main career page to choose between any of the different categories and read more about other available careers:
how to prepare while still in school
This Section is what One Zoo Tree is all about. If you are interested in following any of the careers where you get to work with owls, preparation while still in school is extremely important. For this reason we are making some of the world's most valuable and incredible resources available for YOU!
Pop over to our HOW TO PREPARE section and learn more, have fun, and build on your experience!
Pop over to our HOW TO PREPARE section and learn more, have fun, and build on your experience!
proud page sponsor
help by contributing towards the owl info
Why contribute to the information on this species?
We need to present the children with the facts that will allow them to make proper career decisions, and learn about the animals they will work with. There are several websites dealing with owl facts, and many conflict in information, especially regarding related careers. As experts already working with the different species, as well as within the industry, we have an obligation to guide children on the right path. Please feel free to contribute any information that you feel might be important to assist in creating a factual, beneficial career preparation path.
You may contribute through:
We need to present the children with the facts that will allow them to make proper career decisions, and learn about the animals they will work with. There are several websites dealing with owl facts, and many conflict in information, especially regarding related careers. As experts already working with the different species, as well as within the industry, we have an obligation to guide children on the right path. Please feel free to contribute any information that you feel might be important to assist in creating a factual, beneficial career preparation path.
You may contribute through:
- A direct message of up to 1000 words
- Email for longer messages and files
Direct Message or Email
Expert Contributors
As One Zoo Tree remains a crowd sourced platform, we would like to personally thank the experts that took the time and made resources available to ensure that the Owl Page remains factually correct, updated and the best resource for our children to learn everything about related Careers.
