An owl is a bird of prey, belongs to the order of owls (Strigiformes or Striges), in which there are 2 families:
- owls or true owls (these include tawny owls, eagle owls, long-eared owls and scops owls)
- barn owls (these include the barn owl genus and the masked barn owl genus)
The owl's feet are very strong and grippy, and in many species they are feathered. Owl claws sharp and curved, they help her quickly grab the victim and hold it. The flight of an owl is almost silent, this is due to the special structure of its feathers. The first outer feathers are saw-toothed and fringed. The third and fourth feathers of the owl are longer than the others. The tail is rounded and trimmed, and the tail feathers are curled. The wingspan of an owl is about 142-200 centimeters. These birds fly very fast: the speed of an owl in flight reaches 80 km/h.
The bird makes a characteristic clicking sound when it is irritated or excited. It turns out she does this thanks to her beak. The owl's beak is curved from the beginning to the very base, ends with a hook, the edges are smooth and without cutouts.
Owls can turn their heads 180 and even 270 degrees without causing discomfort or harm. The owl bird is a predator, and it needs to track down prey, so its eyes are located not on the sides, but in front.
The owl's eyes are motionless and look only straight ahead. To change the direction of gaze, the bird needs to turn its head. Moreover, the owl’s visual angle is 160 degrees, and its vision is binocular, unlike other birds. Owls see the world in black and white. The lens of owls is not in the eyeball, but in the horn tube, so birds see perfectly at night.
An owl's hearing is 4 times better than a cat's. As soon as the prey reveals itself with a rustle or sound, the bird rushes at it with lightning speed.
Types of owls, names and photographs
In the owl family, there are 3 subfamilies, 30 genera and 214 species, the most common of which are:
- Long eared owl (Asio otus)
The bird has a length of 31-36 centimeters. The wingspan reaches 86-98 cm. The color of this species of owl is predominantly gray-brown with variegated spots, the chest is white. On the upper side of the body are located dark spots, on the underside there are transverse stripes. On the head of the long-eared owl there are large ear tufts, which consist of six feathers.
Lives in coniferous forests, prefers nesting sites European countries or northern Asia, flies to northern Africa for the winter. The long-eared owl feeds on rodents, mice, voles, insects and birds.
- Gray owl ( Strix nebulosa)
A large bird with a length of 80 cm and a wingspan of 1.5 meters. The large-headed bird has a smoky gray color. There are dark stripes around the owl's yellow eyes.
The tawny owl feeds on rodents and squirrels. For nesting, it chooses the nests of hawks and buzzards; it does not build nests itself. The black spot under the bird's beak looks like a beard, hence the name of the bird. The bird has no feathered ears; there is a white collar on its neck. The underside of the wings hides dark stripes.
The Great Gray Owl lives in the taiga and mountain forests in the Baltic countries, the European part of Russia, Siberia, Sakhalin, and Mongolia.
- Eagle owl ( Bubo bubo)
It has a length of 60-75 cm, a wingspan of 160-190 cm. The weight of a male eagle owl reaches 2.1-2.7 kg, the weight of females is 3-3.2 kg. The eagle owl is the largest bird from the order Owls. The plumage of the predator is dominated by reddish and ocher colors; the eagle owl's eyes are bright orange, with tufts of elongated feathers located above the eyes.
Eagle owls live in the forests and steppes of Eurasia, hunting rodents, mice, crows, hedgehogs, hares, birds and other vertebrates.
- Great Sparrow Owl ( Glaucidium passerinum)
The body length of the owl is 15-19 cm, the wingspan reaches 35-40 cm. The weight reaches 55-80 g. Moreover, males are smaller than females. The color of the owl is gray-brown or dark brown; white speckles are clearly visible on the feathers, larger ones on the back and smaller ones on the head. The underparts of the bird are white with longitudinal stripes of a brown tint. The tail is gray-brown, with 5 narrow stripes. The head is small and has a round and slightly flattened shape; the owl has no ears. The pygmy owl has white and brown rings around its eyes. The bird's eyes are yellow and there are white eyebrows above the eyes. The claws of the pygmy owl are black or yellow. The paws are fully feathered, down to the claws.
- Little owl ( Athene noctua)
A small bird with a length of 25 cm and a weight of about 150-170 g. The color of the plumage of females and males is the same. The back of the bird is light brown or sandy in color. Brown longitudinal motley spots stand out on the white belly of the owl. Round white spots are located on the shoulder feathers.
The little owl lives in southern and central Europe, northern Africa and southern Asian countries. In Russia, the owl is found mainly in the center and south of the European part, in Southern Altai and Transbaikalia. Birds live in steppe and desert areas, building nests in stones and burrows. The little owl feeds on insects, lizards, rodents, and sometimes birds.
- barn owl (Tyto alba)
Differs from other owl species in its heart-shaped facial disc. The length of the barn owl reaches 34-39 centimeters with a wingspan of 80-95 cm. The weight of the bird of prey is 190-700 grams. The color of the barn owl is red with numerous transverse streaks, stripes and specks. In this case, the color depends on the habitat of the bird. The bird's tail is short. The barn owl's ears have an unusual asymmetrical arrangement: if the left one is at the level of the forehead, then the right one is closer to the nostril area. Thanks to this feature, the bird hears very well.
The barn owl lives on all continents except cold Antarctica. In Russia he lives only in the Kaliningrad region.
- White owl (snowy owl) ( Bubo scandiacus, Nyctea scandiaca)
It has a body length of 55 to 70 cm, the bird’s weight is 2-3 kg. The wingspan reaches 143-166 cm. The color of the bird living in the tundra zone serves as its camouflage, so it is dominated by white colors with dark spots. The polar owl's beak is black and its eyes are bright yellow. The predator's paws are completely pubescent.
The polar owl lives in Eurasia, North America, Greenland, and the islands of the Arctic Ocean. The snowy owl feeds on rodents, lemmings, hares, stoats, ptarmigan, geese, ducks, and fish. White owls are listed in the Red Book.
- Hawk Owl ( Surnia ulula)
It lives in forested regions in Europe, North America and Asia. In Russia it is found in Kamchatka, the Magadan region, Chukotka, and on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. It feeds on rodents (mice, lemmings, voles), and sometimes hunts squirrels, hazel grouse, black grouse, partridges and other birds.
The bird's length reaches 45 cm. The bird's tail is long, the color is brownish-brown with white spots, and there are thin stripes at the bottom of the body. The hawk owl's eyes and beak are yellow.
Where do owls live?
Owls live all over the world; they are not found only in Antarctica. There are 17 species of owls living in Russia. A large number of these birds can be found in forests, and only a few of them live in open areas.
Basically, the owl lives in hollows and nests. The eagle owl finds a home almost everywhere: in forests, mountains, steppes and deserts. The long-eared owl lives in all kinds of fields, as it hunts in open areas, but creates its nests only in the forest. The snowy owl lives in the tundra, in winter it flies far to the south, and does not like wooded areas. The great gray owl lives only in dense taiga forests. Species of owls such as the barn owl and the little owl find homes under roofs and in attics.
What does an owl eat?
The question of what the owl bird eats in nature interests many people. This bird is like natural environment habitat, and in captivity eats rodents, small birds, insects, and animals. The diet depends on the owl's habitat. Owls of medium and large sizes feed on rats, mice, lemmings, hedgehogs, lizards, shrews, hares, frogs, toads, bats, moles, snakes, chickens. Little owls eat mainly insects (beetles, grasshoppers), and birds living in coastal areas eat fish, crabs and mussels. Owls living in tropical countries eat fruits, plants and berries. An owl bird can live for several months without water, quenching its thirst with the blood of its victims.
Breeding owls
Owls form monogamous pairs. A pair of owls does not build their own nest; they occupy crevices, hollows, or nests abandoned by other birds. Short-eared owls build nests on the ground in dense vegetation. Owls can breed once or several times a year, it all depends on the amount of food in the habitat. A clutch may contain from 3 to 10 eggs. Owl eggs are white, spherical and relatively small. The female owl incubates the eggs. The male owl is involved in feeding the offspring. Very often chicks live in the nest of different ages. Parents feed all the offspring, but give most of it to the older owlets. Older owl chicks, when there is a lack of food, can even eat their younger brothers.
There are also some difficulties with the owl's diet; the digestive system of this bird is designed in such a way that it needs to eat the whole carcass of a mouse or bird. It is logical that meat feeding is eliminated, get ready for the purchase of mice.
Also pay attention Special attention When choosing the type of owl, a long-eared or short-eared owl is suitable for a standard city apartment. There will be little space for owls and owls, even if you have a wide apartment or house.
What is the difference between an owl and an eagle owl?
The eagle owl is a bird of prey from the order of owls, the owl family. Belongs to the genus Eagle Owl. This bird differs from other species of owls in its appearance. Firstly, the eagle owl is the largest in size compared to other owls. The eagle owl's head is quite large and has characteristic features: in the area of the auditory openings there are short, hard feathers resembling auricles. The eagle owl has a characteristic feather color, reddish-fawn. There are clear dark stripes on the head and back.
Secondly, unlike many species of owls that hunt only at night, the eagle owl is a diurnal bird and sees well during the day.
The prey of owls are mainly small rodents and insects, while the eagle owl hunts pheasants, hares and young roe deer. This type of prey lives mainly in the steppe zone. In such places it is convenient for the eagle owl to go hunting due to its large wingspan.
- The cry of an owl serves the bird for different purposes. There is a call similar to a dialogue taking place between two males. There is a calling call during the mating season. Small owls make sounds to indicate their location.
- In ancient times, they were afraid of owls, they were considered a bad sign, associated with mystical events, so these birds were persecuted.
- In Egypt, owls were treated with care, respect and were even mummified.
- A Babylonian bas-relief was found depicting owls: they are on the sides, and in the center there is a woman with owl wings and paws. It is believed that this is one of the goddesses, and owls are her guards or companions. In addition to the dark and mystical symbol, the owl was a symbol of the mind and wisdom.
- In Christianity, the cry of an owl was considered a song of death. It symbolized desolation, loneliness, sorrow and solitude. For the Slavs, the owl bird was the keeper of underground treasures, a sign of a widow and foreshadowed a fire or death; the owl was considered one of the demonic and unclean forces.
The barn owl is a member of the barn owl family. A predator, although not very large. People gave her several nicknames, which is reflected in folk art. For example: a screeching or ghostly owl, a night owl, a “bird with a monkey face” and others. Indeed, in the appearance of this there is something similar to a primate.
Features and habitat
Scientists ornithologists have not classified barn owls as certain group, and decided to create a separate category for them. barn owl- the most common species, and today it lives virtually everywhere except Antarctica and a number of areas North America and Canada, as well as in hot Africa.
Despite the fact that this owl is a predator, its characteristics are the most common: length - 25-50cm, body weight - 200-800g. The wingspan is 80-95 cm. Females are approximately 10% larger than males. The plumage is soft and fluffy. The upper body and head are usually dark gray or brown, and the entire body is speckled. The facial disc is white in the shape of a heart, which can immediately distinguish the barn owl from other owls. The belly, chest and muzzle are white, often with spots . The bird has a slender body, and the owl's dark pink toes are crowned with black talons. The eyes are expressive, with an iris.
Since the body of the barn owl are not predisposed to fat accumulation; low temperatures are not for them. On the territory of the Russian Federation, the barn owl can only be found in the Kaliningrad region. In mountainous regions at high altitudes and in arid African deserts, this owl does not live either. In the 20th century the bird was specially brought to the Hawaiian, Canary and Seychelles, so now many varieties of barn owl live in this territory.
Most of all, the bird likes open plains with a sparse forest area and many swamps and other bodies of water nearby. Meadows, ravines and wastelands– are also attracted in the first place. Often these night hunters settle near human habitations and farmlands, because there is always food here, in particular, small rodents.
The Australian or masked barn owl lives not only in Australia, but also in Tasmania, New South Wales and a number of other territories. Australian barn owls differ from other representatives of the species in their colorful appearance and dimensions: females are considered the largest in comparison with other species.
At present, the black bird is considered the least studied: its activity occurs in the dead of night and it is difficult to observe it. This owl settles mainly in thickets of eucalyptus forests, meadows and edges of New Guinea and eastern Australia.
The barn owl is called the “ghost owl” because of its ability to suddenly appear in front of an unsuspecting person without making the slightest sound. It is believed that the bird earned its name for its somewhat hoarse voice, which can scare a traveler lost in the forest.
In addition to the ability to fly silently, the barn owl has developed vision and hearing, so it can navigate perfectly at night. During the daytime, the bird is in a hollow, on the roof, or in another shelter. This owl prefers a solitary lifestyle, but in places rich in food, small concentrations of birds are found.
The barn owl often flies around its territory, while often changing the height. Seeing the uninvited guest, she begins to move threateningly in order to intimidate him. Flapping its wings, the owl is capable of attacking a visitor with its strong paws or beak, which it clicks menacingly when attacking.
In the immediate vicinity of a person, a barn owl usually builds a nest in an attic, in a barn or in an outbuilding; in the wild, this predator can easily take over someone else’s nest or burrow.
Nutrition
The predator usually hunts in the dead of night. While on the hunt, she flies quite low above the ground, looking out for prey.
Its main food source is small rodents.:
- moles;
- hamsters;
- rats,
- opossums;
- field mice;
- others.
But the diet varies depending on the region where the bird lives.. So, she can feast:
- birds (even birds of prey);
- frogs;
- bats;
- reptiles;
- some invertebrates.
The barn owl is not a good pet. Firstly, the owl’s body is designed like this, that they need to eat at least three fresh rodents every day, so if you decide to shelter an ordinary barn owl, take this into account.
Secondly, the barn owl is nocturnal, which means it is suitable as a pet only for people who prefer to stay awake at night.
Reproduction and lifespan
The breeding season lasts for the first two months of spring. The male is looking for a place for a future nest. The nest must be hidden from the eyes of humans and other potential ill-wishers.
Usually, barn owl nests hovering at a height respectful of the ground. In one clutch, the female produces 4-7 eggs, from which the chicks hatch within a month. After 1.5 months, the chicks become stronger and begin an independent life. About ¾ of the young die in the first year of life; those who are luckier can live up to 11 years. Sometimes, even in captivity, barn owls lived to be several decades old.
During the nesting period of the barn owl make more sounds - shrill or hoarse hoots and screams. Outside the breeding season, the birds are usually silent. Birds may flap their wings or click their beaks to make noise.
Conservation status
The bird is not considered a threatened species. However, a serious danger for this bird lies in the reduction in the number of usual nesting sites.
In Eastern Europe, in recent decades, for some unknown reason, the number of barn owls has been catastrophically declining. Representatives of the species are almost never found in Belarus and the Baltic countries, and are rarely seen in Moldova and Ukraine.
The barn owl is listed in the Red Books of several Eastern European countries.
Benefits for humans
Owls often choose attics, outbuildings, ruins, bell towers. In English the barn owl is called "barn owl", that is, “barn owl.” In cities, barn owls hunt mice and rats, since there is no shortage of these rodents in large settlements, our predator also has no shortage of food. In addition, the "urban" birds have perfectly learned to catch bats and nocturnal insects by the light of lanterns.
Barn owls and other owls have always been treated by people with superstitious fear, like other owls, they were considered a symbol of wisdom. Today superstitions are a thing of the past and people feel sympathy for this bird, because it fights rodents.
Barn owls are the most ancient branch of owls, as evidenced by fossils. Now they are preserved only in the form of a small relict group.
The barn owl is an unusual species of owl found on all continents except Antarctica; however, in our country its range is limited only to the Kaliningrad region.
Habitat
Barn owls prefer open spaces, namely: meadows with tall grass, swamps and ravines, banks of water bodies and light forests. Avoids mountainous areas and dense forests.
Appearance
The barn owl is a relatively large bird, reaching 40 centimeters in size, its wingspan is slightly less than a meter. The weight of the bird is 200 - 700 grams, mostly about 500 grams.
The color of the barn owl is white and red, with darker specks and stripes. The plumage of this bird is very dense, thanks to which it can live in the northern, rather cold regions.
barn owl bird photo
A striking feature that distinguishes the barn owl from other birds is that it appears as if they have put a white “mask” on its face. The expression of this “mask” is such that some researchers have nicknamed the barn owl “the owl with the face of a monkey.” The popular names of the barn owl are also known:
- Midnighter;
- Phantom Owl;
- Screeching owl.
barn owl in all its glory photo
These nicknames show that the barn owl in the old days was associated with something mystical. The eyes of this owl, large and expressive, evoke an eerie feeling.
Nutrition and lifestyle
Leads a solitary lifestyle, active at night. Like all owls, the barn owl is a predator. The basis of its diet is made up of small rodents - mice, voles, rats, gerbils, etc. Some certain types of edible animals predominate in a particular region. If necessary, the barn owl catches frogs, bats, lizards and invertebrates.
barn owl in flight photo
She flies out to hunt in the dark, and during the day she sleeps in a cozy nest, which is a hollow, hole, attic or other appropriate place. The barn owl does not build nests as such. Sometimes she occupies the empty nests of other birds. Silent flight and extremely acute hearing help the barn owl to navigate the terrain and hunt.
barn owl night hunting photo
The bird's vision is also strong, thanks to which it sees well in the dark. The barn owl grabs its prey on the fly with sharp claws and takes it somewhere to a convenient place where it can be safely eaten.
Reproduction
The male usually looks for a place for a “family nest”. Usually this is a hollow, rotten stump or old nests of birds of prey. Having found one, he calls the female in a loud voice. After forming a family, she lays 4–6 eggs and incubates them for a little over a month. All this time the male brings her food.
barn owl chicks photo
The chicks hatch covered in soft white down. The male and female feed their babies. They stay with their parents for another three months. They begin to fly at the age of 50 days, then fly away and look for a new place of residence.
- The comparison with monkeys is explained not only appearance birds. When a barn owl sees a person approaching, it rises higher, stands on its long legs and sways on them left and right, making various grimaces. So she tries to scare the uninvited guest. Why not a monkey? If a person gets too close, the barn owl will usually fly away.
- The barn owl has a well-known habit - it silently approaches a person from behind and suddenly appears right in front of him. Here anyone would be scared, especially if the meeting took place at dusk. can click its beak loudly. All this only increases the feeling of horror for an unprepared observer.
Lifespan
IN wildlife The barn owl lives about 2 years.
- Class - Birds
- Order - Owls
- Family - Barn owls
- Genus - Barn owls
- Species - Barn owl
The barn owl (lat. Tyto alba) is a bird of prey of the barn owl family (Tytonidae) of the order Strigiformes, called the “white lady” for its unusual and mysterious appearance. Her snow-white facial disc is heart-shaped, which distinguishes her from other owls.
The barn owl flies completely silently, outwardly resembling a real little white ghost, terrifying the rodents helpless in front of it. For this reason, European farmers love it very much. In Germany on the roofs of houses in rural areas Even special “birdhouses” are arranged for her, called Eulenlochs (German: Eulenloch), which beneficial birds enjoy using.
In the Middle Ages, it was customary to nail a stuffed animal of this bird on the entrance door.
It was believed that in this way one could protect oneself from fires and accidental lightning strikes. The cry of a barn owl was regarded as good news about the birth of a new little man, although in some regions it is still considered as a harbinger of someone's death.
The European population of barn owls currently numbers approximately 200 thousand pairs.
Behavior
Barn owls are common on all continents except Antarctica. They prefer to settle in open spaces, heather heaths and fields, where small rodents abound, which form the basis of their diet. In rural areas, these birds willingly settle near human habitation, choosing the darkest nooks and crannies of various buildings, including abandoned buildings and dovecotes, for nesting.
Barn owls are true patriots and are very attached to their native places.
Having settled, they drive away strangers with cries and fiercely defend their territory from any encroachment. They devote a lot of time to cleaning their feathers and keeping their nest clean.
Barn owls fly out to hunt at dusk and hunt until dawn. They are especially active when the moon is bright. Their visual acuity is 100 times greater than that of a human. In addition, owls have unusually fine hearing, allowing them to find prey even in pitch darkness.
Barn owls' menu is dominated by various small rodents - mice, rats, and if the usual amount of food is insufficient, they begin to feed on frogs, insects, reptiles and small birds. The predator silently flies up to the intended victim and falls on top of it like a stone, instantly killing it with its sharp claws. The prey is swallowed whole. An owl eats a particularly large trophy, pecking off a piece. She regurgitates undigested remains (feathers, bones, fur and claws) in the form of pellets.
Reproduction
Being monogamous birds, barn owls mate once in a lifetime. Spouses constantly show each other signs of attention and demonstrate their care in every possible way. The mating season begins in February, when the male brings his prey to the female as a wedding gift.
The male always searches for a secluded place for the nest. At the end of April, the female lays eggs directly on the bare floor or on a small layer of pellets. In years when there are especially many rodents, barn owls can give birth to not one, but two litters. Usually there are 3-6 eggs in a clutch. Incubation lasts from 30 to 34 days.
The eggs are incubated by the female alone, and the male brings her food. Owls always hatch only at night and at two-week intervals.
At the beginning of their lives, chicks cannot swallow food whole, so the mother opens them with a small piece of meat and feeds them until they grow a little.
At 2 weeks of age, they are covered in baby fluff, and each of them eats 5 mice daily. To feed the younger generation, the female also begins to fly out to hunt.
Upon reaching 40 days of age, the owlets approach the edge of the nest and begin to intensively train their wings, and after another 20 days they begin to fly. If there is a shortage of food, older owlets kill and eat their younger brothers.
The chicks look like small white fluffy buns. At two months, children's down changes to adult plumage, after which they leave their native nest. Mortality among them is very high, so less than 40% of chicks survive to one year.
Description
The body length of an adult is 33-35 cm with a wingspan of 85-93 cm. The birds weigh 320-380 g. The upper part of the body is yellowish-brown with small white and black-brown spots. The lower part is white with small dark specks.
Flight feathers of long and narrow wings are reddish with dark speckles. The plumage of the face forms a characteristic heart-shaped facial disc. The beak is sharp, strongly curved down. Small dark eyes provide excellent vision.
The paws are long and well adapted for grasping prey. The fingers are armed with sharp hooked claws.
The average life expectancy of barn owls is about 2 years.
The barn owl is an owl with an unusual appearance. If you don't believe me, look at her face! It’s as if a white mask was placed on the bird’s head. What's hidden underneath?
IN scientific world This owl is called Tyto alba. Where does the barn owl live?
It can be found on all continents of the Earth, except for Antarctica, because even birds with such plumage as an owl's will not be able to endure the harsh cold of the glacial continent. In our country, these owls can only be seen in the Kaliningrad region.
Some scientists call the barn owl an owl with the face of a monkey. Indeed, there is some similarity ... The people call this bird a ghostly owl, a night owl, a screeching owl. When did the barn owl manage to earn so many nicknames for itself? This question, perhaps, can only be answered by folk legends.
What is remarkable about the appearance of a barn owl?
These birds reach a length of about 40 centimeters. The wings when open are a meter in size.
From above, the bird is painted in reddish tones with ashy patches and dark spots. The belly area is white with some yellow streaks. The barn owl has a round head, a flattened muzzle and white plumage. The animal's eyes are very large and expressive. In a word, the appearance of the barn owl is quite memorable, especially if you unexpectedly meet her in the forest at twilight.
By the way, for this habit, people called her a ghostly owl, because she flies up almost silently, and then abruptly appears in the face of a person. The ghost Casper is just a child's joke compared to the antics of this bird!
The barn owl's lifestyle and diet
Like all owls, the barn owl is a true winged predator. She flies out to hunt in the dark. Special auditory receptors and silent flight give this bird incredible advantages in night hunting. During the day, the owl prefers to sleep in the cool and shade. She settles on a tree so that she is not noticeable.
The barn owl is a crepuscular and nocturnal predator. In the diet of this night bird includes field, small birds, hamsters, . If a barn owl notices prey, then it can no longer escape the keen eyes and keen hearing of the predator. The owl grabs the victim right in the air, pinches it with its tenacious claws and carries it to a place where it can calmly feast on it.
How do barn owls reproduce?
The male is looking for a nesting place in these birds. When he has selected a suitable “site” for building a nest, he begins to call the female with loud cries so that she can see if this place is suitable for hatching future chicks. If the female agrees with the choice of the gentleman, then they begin mating.
The female barn owl lays eggs in the built nest. Typically, a clutch consists of 4 – 6 eggs. The incubation process continues for a little over a month. After the incubation period is completed, little owlets are born. They are covered with delicate white down. The little barn owl chicks look very funny and even clumsy.
Loading...