Unraveling the secret world of owls: the nocturnal superheroes
Often associated with wisdom, owls are much more fascinating than that. Their excellent night vision is seven times greater than humans. This coupled with their ability to rotate their necks up to 270 degrees and near-silent flight, makes them apex predators in the dead of night. Quite literally, they are the superheroes of the forest.
Their distinct sounds, ranging from hooting to screeching, often voiced when asserting territory or attracting a mate, lends an eerie quality to their late-night prowls. But there's a reason only some owls hoot. Suppose we take a look at the snowy owl. The windy arctic regions where they live do not conduct sounds very well. Hence, instead of hooting, they employ 'harking', a chilling, low-pitched hissing growl.
Awe-inspiring and intimidating as adult owls might be, their babies are just plain intriguing. Unlike most birds, owl babies are called 'owlets', and strangely enough, don’t hatch all at once. Which means in a nest, you could find eggs, newborns, and almost fledged siblings, quite the picture of a bustling family!
Next time you spot an owl pellet, remember, it's not excrement, but a compact package of the indigestible parts of their recent meal, be it bones, fur, or feather. Scientists have even used these pellets to learn more about the owls' diet and habits.
With 200 species worldwide, owls make a captivating study. Not just symbols of wisdom, but marvels of adaptation and survival. So next time you’re out and about at night, take a second to appreciate the quiet observer perched on a branch, the unsung superhero of the night, our perennial owls.
Their distinct sounds, ranging from hooting to screeching, often voiced when asserting territory or attracting a mate, lends an eerie quality to their late-night prowls. But there's a reason only some owls hoot. Suppose we take a look at the snowy owl. The windy arctic regions where they live do not conduct sounds very well. Hence, instead of hooting, they employ 'harking', a chilling, low-pitched hissing growl.
Awe-inspiring and intimidating as adult owls might be, their babies are just plain intriguing. Unlike most birds, owl babies are called 'owlets', and strangely enough, don’t hatch all at once. Which means in a nest, you could find eggs, newborns, and almost fledged siblings, quite the picture of a bustling family!
Next time you spot an owl pellet, remember, it's not excrement, but a compact package of the indigestible parts of their recent meal, be it bones, fur, or feather. Scientists have even used these pellets to learn more about the owls' diet and habits.
With 200 species worldwide, owls make a captivating study. Not just symbols of wisdom, but marvels of adaptation and survival. So next time you’re out and about at night, take a second to appreciate the quiet observer perched on a branch, the unsung superhero of the night, our perennial owls.