Owls

Owls are birds of prey that are mostly active at night. They have large, round eyes that help them see in the dark. Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around. There are about 200 species of owls found on every continent except Antarctica.

Night Hunters

Owls have special feathers that let them fly almost silently. This helps them sneak up on mice, rats, and other small animals. Their hearing is so good that they can catch prey in complete darkness just by listening. Owls swallow their food whole.

Owl Eyes and Ears

Owl eyes are not round like ours. They are tube-shaped and cannot move. That is why owls turn their whole head to look around. Some owls have ears that are at different heights on their head, which helps them pinpoint exactly where a sound is coming from.

Fun Facts

• Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
• A group of owls is called a parliament.
• Barn owls can eat up to 1,000 mice per year.

Did You Know?

The elf owl is the smallest owl in the world, only about 5 inches tall. It makes its nest inside holes in cactus plants in the desert!