Owl

Owl species range in size from tiny elf owls to great gray owls with six-foot wingspans, occupying habitats on every continent except Antarctica. Most owls are nocturnal, relying on forward-facing eyes that gather faint starlight and provide binocular vision for depth perception. Their facial disks funnel sound toward asymmetrically placed ears, allowing them to pinpoint prey rustling under leaves or snow. Specialized wing feathers break up airflow, letting owls glide almost silently before extending sharp talons.

Diets focus on rodents, insects, and small birds, though larger owls take rabbits or even skunks. After swallowing prey whole, owls regurgitate pellets of bones and fur that students often dissect to learn about local ecosystems. Some species, such as burrowing owls, hunt during the day, sharing prairie dog burrows or man-made tunnels near airports. Others, like snowy owls, migrate south only when Arctic lemming populations crash, making winter irruptions exciting events for birders.

Owls nest in tree cavities, cliff ledges, barns, or nest boxes provided by conservationists. Pairs often mate for multiple seasons, calling to each other with hoots, whistles, or screeches unique to each species. Parents share hunting duties, delivering prey to fluffy nestlings that fledge within weeks. Juveniles practice short flights at dusk, learning to land on nearby branches before venturing farther under cover of night.

Human activities have mixed impacts on owls. Barn owls thrive near farms and airports where rodents are abundant, yet they can ingest poisoned prey. Forest owls lose habitat when old trees or snags are removed, while light pollution and noisy traffic disrupt hunting. Conservationists install nest boxes, preserve shelterbelts, and promote integrated pest management that reduces reliance on rodenticides. Wildlife rehabilitators treat injured owls struck by vehicles or tangled in barbed wire.

Owls capture human imagination through myths, Halloween decorations, and literary characters. Scientists outfit owls with tiny transmitters to study migration, while citizen scientists record nighttime hoots for acoustic monitoring projects. Classroom lessons explore silent flight by comparing owl feathers to airplane wings or modeling facial disks with paper plates. By respecting nesting areas, dimming unnecessary lights, and supporting organizations that protect raptor habitat, communities ensure that owls keep patrolling the night sky.