Owl: The silent hunter of the night

The owl is the most mysterious hunter of the night forest. It flies almost without a sound and can catch small animals precisely in pitch darkness. Its big round eyes and turning neck are unforgettable. Let's meet it.

Its body

An owl's eyes face forward, unlike most birds whose eyes sit on the sides — this gives it overlapping binocular vision, letting it judge distance like binoculars, perfect for locking onto prey at night. Its neck is extraordinarily flexible, able to turn most of the way around, making up for eyes that cannot move in their sockets. Its feathers have fine saw-toothed edges that break up the sound of airflow, so prey barely hears it coming. Its hearing is extremely acute and can locate prey by sound alone.

Where it lives and what it eats

Most owls are active at night, hunting mice, insects, small birds and more. By day they rest in tree holes, forks or dense foliage. They fly quietly and nimbly, striking with precise, powerful talons. Different species vary greatly in size, from small to large.

Where it is found

Owls are very widespread, found from forests and grasslands to cities. They often nest in tree holes or old buildings. Because they are mostly active at night and rest quietly by day, many people "hear them but never see them".

A note for grown-ups

You could listen quietly at night with a child and see if you can hear an owl call. Then explain why it flies so quietly — so that prey does not notice. Helping a child feel that "quietness" is itself a skill is a lovely discovery.