Owl, The King of The Night | DPFunFacts

 Today, we're going to talk about The King of The Night - The Owl.

Here are 5 things about Owl.

Owls are raptors, or birds of prey:

The owl is a skilled predator and efficient hunter with excellent night vision and acute hearing. They are known for their silent flight, which is achieved through specialized feathers and wing structure.

2. There are over 250 species of owls in the world:

Species vary by size, pattern, and coloration. They are classified as Strigiformes, that group is divided into two smaller groups.  The Tytonidae family includes Barn Owls with heart-shaped faces, while the Strigidae family includes all other owls with round faces.

3. About Their diet and hunting habits:

Owls eat mainly small rodents, birds, fish, insects, and larger creatures. They hunt at night, aided by their ultra-sensitive hearing and excellent night vision, and have a trait called eyeshine. Their eyes glow orange-red at night due to a layer of tissue behind their retinas that reflects visible light. Giving them extraordinary ability to see in the darkness. They also have necks that can twist up to 270 degrees to track prey movement.

Most owls search for prey from perches or in mid-air, but others may hover over their prey like a helicopter. Because owl feather edges are soft rather than hard. They have an advantage over their targets.

4. The Mating Process:

Male owls initiate the mating process by calling out to females in vocalizations After a female responds, the male begins an elaborate wooing session with gifts of food, chest-fluffing, and spectacular aerial dances. Most owls pair with the same mate at least once a year, while pairs from some species remain together throughout the year.

5. Owls lay up to 14 eggs per brood and protect their babies in a tree cavity or nest built and abandoned by other birds:

Parents work together to raise their young, with the male delivering food to the female, who tears it up for the little ones. Owlets begin exploring outside the nest after seven to 12 weeks and permanently go off on their own a few weeks later.

Owls are amazing birds with unique adaptations to survive in their nocturnal habitat. Their unique appearance, ranging from small and fluffy to large and imposing, has made them a source of fascination and admiration. And they are truly the king of the night.