Strigidae Tytonidae An owl is any of some 220+ species of solitary, mainly nocturnal birds of prey in the order Strigiformes. Owls mostly hunt small mammals, insects, and other birds, though a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found on all the Earth's lands except for Antarctica, most of Greenland, and some remote islands. Owl - External appearance. Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye ...

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• Owl - External appearance
• Owl - Behavior
• Owl - Myth and lore
• Owl - Bibliography

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Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disc. Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, and they must turn their entire head to change views. Owls are far-sighted, and are unable to clearly see anything within a few inches of their eyes. Their far vision, par ...

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Owl, Owl - External appearance, Owl - Behavior, Owl - Myth and lore, Owl - Bibliography

Read more here: » Owl: Encyclopedia II - Owl - External appearance

Owls' powerful clawed feet and sharp beak enable them to tear their prey to pieces before eating, although most items are swallowed whole. Their muffled wings and dull feathers allow them to fly almost silently and unseen. Scientists studying the diets of owls are helped by their habit of disgorging the indigestible parts of their prey (bones, scales, fur, etc.) in the form of pellets. These "owl pellets" are often sold by companies to schools to be dissected by students as a lesson in biology and ecology, because they are ...

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Owl, Owl - External appearance, Owl - Behavior, Owl - Myth and lore, Owl - Bibliography

Read more here: » Owl: Encyclopedia II - Owl - Behavior

In the Western world, owls are traditionally associated with wisdom and knowledge and with the Greek goddess Athena. That's because Athena was a bird goddess and assumed often the form of an owl. Athena was not only the goddess of wisdom, but was also the goddess of arts and skills. With this association, owls became also the symbol of teaching and of institutions of learning, being present in th ...

See also:

Owl, Owl - External appearance, Owl - Behavior, Owl - Myth and lore, Owl - Bibliography

Read more here: » Owl: Encyclopedia II - Owl - Myth and lore