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Owl – Erakina

November 19, 2021 11 Mins Read
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Abou Owl:

Owls are any of numerous, chiefly nocturnal birds of prey, of the order Strigiform, having a broad head with large, forward-directed eyes that are usually surrounded by disks of modified feathers: many populations are diminishing owing to loss of habitat.

ORIGIN OF OWL

before 900; Middle English oule, Old English ūle; cognate with Low German ūle, Dutch uil; akin to German Eule, Old Norse ugla

Owls are fascinating birds known for their nocturnal habits, acute senses, and silent flight. They belong to the order Strigiformes and are found in various habitats around the world except Antarctica.

The exact origin of owls, like many other bird species, is a topic of scientific study and speculation.

Fossil records suggest that owls have been around for a very long time. The oldest owl fossil known to date is Protostrix, which lived approximately 60 million years ago during the Paleocene epoch.

These early owls had some differences from modern owls but shared certain characteristics, such as their strong beaks and talons adapted for hunting small prey.The evolution of owls is linked to the evolution of mammals and birds.

As small mammals, including rodents and other small vertebrates, became more common and diverse, owls evolved to become efficient nocturnal predators, using their keen senses of hearing and vision to locate and capture prey in low-light conditions.

It’s important to note that the evolution of owls, like other organisms, is a gradual process that occurs over millions of years.

 While specific details about their origin might not be fully known, scientists continue to study fossils and genetic data to gain a better understanding of the evolutionary history of these fascinating birds.

owl bird portrait
owl sitting on a tree branch
 

A FAMILY OF OWLS

 

Like hawks and eagles, owls are called raptors, or birds of prey, which means they use sharp talons and curved bills to hunt, kill, and eat other animals.

​But owls are different from hawks and eagles in several ways. Most owls have huge heads, stocky bodies, soft feathers, short tails, and a reversible toe that can point either forward or backward. Owl’s eyes face forward, like humans do. Most owl species are active at night, not in the daytime.

​There are about 250 species of owls in the world. They live on every continent except icy Antarctica.

​Owls belong to a group of birds called Strigiformes. That group is divided into two smaller groups, known as families. The family called Tytonidae includes Barn Owls, which have heart-shaped faces. The second family, Strigidae, includes all other owls, most of which have round faces.

​

Many owls vocalize at a distinctively low frequency, which allows their songs to travel long distances without being absorbed by vegetation. Becoming familiar with these songs and other vocalizations will help you find and identify owls. 

PARTS OF OWL:

Size

They range in size from the tiny “Least Pygmy Owl” (Glaucidium minutissimum) at 12cm (4½”) tall, to the rather large “Great Grey Owl” (Strix nebulosa) at up to 84cm (33″) tall. Although the “Eurasian Eagle Owl” (Bubo bubo) is the largest owl by mass and average length. Length: 58-71cm (22.8-28″) tall.

picture showing owl parts
                             body parts of owl representation

  1. Beak: The beak of an owl is sharp and curved, designed for tearing apart prey.

  2. Eyes: Owls have large, forward-facing eyes that are adapted for excellent night vision. Their eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they have to turn their entire head to change their field of vision.

  3. Facial Disk: Many owl species have a facial disk, a concave collection of feathers around the face that helps funnel sound to their ears, enhancing their exceptional hearing abilities.

  4. Ears: Owls have asymmetrical ear openings on either side of their head, covered by feathers. This asymmetry allows them to pinpoint the location of sounds accurately, aiding in hunting.

  5. Feathers: Owls have specialized feathers that allow for silent flight, enabling them to hunt stealthily. Their plumage also provides insulation, keeping them warm in cold weather.

  6. Wings: Owls have large wings relative to their body size, which allows for silent and efficient flight. Their wing structure is adapted for silent gliding and precise maneuvers.

  7. Talons: Owls have strong, sharp talons on their feet, which they use to grasp and kill their prey. Their talons are powerful and well-suited for capturing and holding onto a variety of animals.

  8. Tail: The tail of an owl is relatively short and helps with balance and stability during flight.

  9. Digestive System: Owls have a specialized digestive system that allows them to digest their prey, including bones and fur. They regurgitate indigestible parts, such as bones and feathers, in the form of pellets.

  10. Pellets: Owls regurgitate pellets containing the indigestible parts of their prey, such as bones and fur. Scientists often study these pellets to learn more about owl diets and the animals they consume.

  11. Respiratory System: Owls have a highly efficient respiratory system that allows them to get oxygen quickly during flight. Their breathing rate increases significantly during physical activity.

OWLS ON THE HUNT

Many owl species are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. There are some owl species who are diurnal, however, meaning they are active during the day but rest at night. Crepuscular species are active during dusk and dawn.

They  spend much of their waking time hunting for food. Many of these species are carnivores, or meat eaters. Small, rodent-like mammals, such as voles and mice, are the primary prey for many owl species.

Their diet may also include frogs, lizards, snakes, fish, mice, rabbits, birds, squirrels, and other creatures. Occasionally, Great Horned Owls might even find skunks tasty enough to eat.

Some of these, like the Flammulated Owl eat insects almost exclusively. Animals that eat insects are called insectivores.

They  hunt in various ways. One hunting technique is called perch and pounce. In this method They perch comfortably until they see their prey, then glide down upon it; Northern Hawk Owls use this approach. Another approach to hunting, called quartering flight, is to search for prey while flying, as utilized by the Barn Owl

picture of owl flying
                       owl flying to hunt their prey

1. Silent Flight:

They have specialized feathers that muffle the sound of their flight, allowing them to approach prey silently. This silent flight gives them a significant advantage, as their prey often can’t hear them coming.

2. Exceptional Vision:

They have excellent night vision, which allows them to see in low light conditions. Their large eyes are adapted to capture and process minimal light, enabling them to hunt effectively in the dark.

3. Acute Hearing:

They have highly sensitive ears and can detect the slightest sounds, such as the rustle of a small mammal in the grass or the movement of a vole underground. Their facial disks help funnel sound to their ears, allowing them to pinpoint the location of prey.

4. Stillness and Patience:

They are patient hunters. They often perch quietly and wait for prey to come within striking distance. Their excellent camouflage and ability to remain still for long periods help them blend into their surroundings, making it difficult for prey to detect them.

5. Powerful Strikes:

When an owl spots prey, it uses its sharp talons to make a swift and powerful strike. Owls have strong grip strength, allowing them to capture and hold onto their prey securely.

6. Varied Diet:

They are opportunistic hunters and have a diverse diet, including small mammals (like mice, voles, and rabbits), birds, insects, and sometimes fish. Their hunting techniques can vary based on the type of prey they are targeting.

7. Regurgitation of Pellets:

After digesting their prey, They  regurgitate pellets containing indigestible parts such as bones, fur, and feathers. Scientists often dissect these pellets to study the diet and feeding habits of owls.

8. Territorial Behavior:

They are often have territories where they hunt. They are known to defend their hunting grounds from other ones to ensure a steady supply of food.

Owl species:

India is home to about 35 species  which are divided into two families – True Owls or Strigidae and Barn Owls or Bay Owls. As the name suggests, True Owls have the distinct features that describe this species, like large, colored eyes and the presence of ear.

  1. Barn Owl (Tyto alba): Found almost everywhere in the world, barn owls are known for their heart-shaped facial disks and pale plumage. They are excellent hunters and primarily feed on small mammals.

  2. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus): One of the most widespread one  in North America, the great horned owl is known for its tufted “horns” of feathers on its head. They are powerful hunters and have a varied diet.

  3. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus): Native to the Arctic regions, snowy owls are well-adapted to cold climates. They are known for their white plumage, which helps them blend into the snowy surroundings.

  4. Screech Owl (Megascops spp.): There are several species of screech owls found in the Americas. They are relatively small  and come in a variety of colors, including reddish-brown and gray.

  5. Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi): One of the smallest owl species, the elf owl is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are tiny, measuring only about 5-6 inches in length.

  6. Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis): Found in North America, spotted owls are known for their brown plumage with white spots. They are primarily nocturnal and inhabit dense forests.

  7. Tawny Owl (Strix aluco): Native to Europe and parts of Asia, tawny owls have a reddish-brown plumage and are adapted to wooded areas. They are also known for their distinctive hooting calls.

  8. Indian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bengalensis): Found in South Asia, this large owl species is known for its tufted “horns” and impressive size. They are powerful hunters and have a diverse diet.

  9. Barking Owl (Ninox connivens): Native to Australia and nearby islands, the barking owl is named for its distinctive barking-like calls. They are medium-sized owls with brown plumage.

  10. Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus): Found in North America, Europe, and Asia, boreal owls are adapted to cold boreal forests. They are small owls with brown plumage and a facial disk.

Some are classified below:

Brown Fish-Owl

Brown Fish-Owls are commonly found in woodlands bordering streams and lakes. They feed mainly on fish and aquatic crustaceans, capturing the prey using their long legs, while skimming over water bodies. They have considerably longer legs which are featherless and help them in hunting fish.

Brown Fish-Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) | Ranthambhore National Park
owl species found in Rajasthan

Barn Owl 

The most widespread land bird species in the world, the Barn Owl is usually spotted in abandoned buildings, chimneys and in tree holes. They occupy a range of habitats and are one of the most common urban bird species. 

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) | Pune, Maharashtra
owl species inside tree barn

Asian Barred Owlet

Asian Barred Owlets, as the name suggests, have a distinct barred and streaked appearance. They can be seen perched on dead tree stumps or on bare tree branches. They mainly feed on large insects.

Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) Latpanchar
owl species found in west Bengal region sitting on a tree branch

Indian Eagle-Owl

Found throughout the Indian subcontinent, Indian Eagle-Owls, also called Rock Eagle-Owls, are usually spotted in rocky regions as well as semi-deserts with rocks and bushes. As seen in the image, they have distinct orange eyes. The color of their bills can vary between black and dark green.

Indian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bengalensis)Malvan
owl species found in Gujarat region

Fun Facts About OWL

They  are intriguing birds that easily capture the attention and curiosity of birders. These facts may help clear up a bit of their mystery and reveal what a hoot owls really are.

  • Many of these species have asymmetrical ears. When located at different heights on their s head, their ears are able to pinpoint the location of sounds in multiple dimensions. Ready, aim, strike.
  •  The eyes of an owl are not true “eyeballs.” Their tube-shaped eyes are completely immobile, providing binocular vision which fully focuses on their prey and boosts depth perception. 
  • These can rotate their necks 270 degrees. A blood-pooling system collects blood to power their brains and eyes when neck movement cuts off circulation. 
  • A group of owls is called a parliament. This originates from C.S. Lewis’ description of a meeting of these in The Chronicles of Narnia.
     These hunt other owls. Great Horned Owls are the top predator of the smaller Barred Owl.
  • The tiniest owl in the world is the Elf Owl, which is 5 – 6 inches tall and weighs about 1 ½ ounces. The largest North American owl, in appearance, is the Great Gray Owl, which is up to 32 inches tall.
  • The Northern Hawk Owl can detect—primarily by sight—a vole to eat up to a half a mile away.  
  • Barn Owls swallow their prey whole—skin, bones, and all—and they eat up to 1,000 mice each year.
  • Northern Saw-whet Owls can travel long distances over large bodies of water. One showed up 70 miles from shore near Montauk, New York. 

PROTECTING A FUTURE FOR OWLS

They  have three basic needs: food, somewhere safe to roost, and a place to nest. These live where their basic needs are met. The place where an animal naturally lives and grows is called its habitat.
 
Forest, grassland, desert, tundra, and wooded gully habitats have plants, landforms, and animals that are important to the survival of each of these species that lives there.
 

Short-eared Owls, for example, require large tracts of contiguous open-country habitat, like grasslands, to survive. These habitats provide cover that hide the owls’ roosts and nest but, more importantly, provide habitat for the small rodents that Short-eared Owls eat.

Southern desert habitat has saguaro cacti that Elf Owls nest in, and the insects, spiders, scorpions, and small reptiles that they eat. Great Horned Owls nest and hunt in almost every natural habitat.

​When we clear out native vegetation and destroy habitat, it forces them to move, and it means that more these must crowd into less space. The crowded areas may not have the food supply to nourish all the these sharing the space. Some these  may even starve.

​It is important that we find a balance between our use of land and wildlife’s need for habitat. The Owl Research Institute works to inform policy and land management decisions that protect them and their habitats.

But we cannot do it without your help. Get involved with at your local level and, if possible, consider a contribution to the research and conservation we do at ORI.

A picture is one of the owl spicies

northern hawk owl

In conclusion, They are remarkable hunters, equipped with a unique set of adaptations that make them highly efficient predators in the darkness of the night. Their silent flight, exceptional vision, acute hearing, patience, and powerful strikes allow them to hunt a variety of prey with precision and stealth. It’s ability to remain still and wait for the right moment, coupled with their diverse diet and territorial behavior, showcases their adaptive prowess in different ecosystems.

Studying owls’ hunting techniques not only reveals the intricacies of their behavior but also provides valuable insights into the delicate balance of nature. As masters of the nocturnal hunt, They exemplify the wonders of evolutionary specialization, demonstrating how specific adaptations can turn these birds into apex predators in their respective habitats. Through their silent presence and lethal efficiency, These continue to captivate the imagination of scientists, naturalists, and enthusiasts, reminding us of the marvels of the animal kingdom.

–Tejasri

Content Writer(Erakina by RTMN)

14.10.2021

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