The most fascinating and mysterious owl facts

Owls are some of the most fascinating and mysterious raptors in the world. Those who love animal facts will not want to skip the following facts about this amazing animal:

1. Barn Owls eat mostly voles, shrews, mice and sometimes rats.
2. Food is often swallowed whole – bits of fur and bone are then regurgitated (coughed up) as an owl pellet.
3. Barn Owls screech – they never hoot (that’s Tawny Owls).
4. The scientific Latin name for Barn Owl is Tyto alba alba.
5. Barn Owls have very long legs, toes and talons to help them to catch prey hidden under long grass.
6. Most owls hunt insects, small mammals and other birds.
7. Some owl species hunt fish.
8. Owls have powerful talons (claws) which help them catch and kill prey.
9. Owls have large eyes and a flat face.
10. Owls can turn their heads as much as 270 degrees.
11. Owls are farsighted, meaning they can’t see things close to their eyes clearly.
12. Owls are very quiet in flight compared to other birds of prey.
13. The color of owl’s feathers helps them blend into their environment (camouflage).
14. Barn owls can be recognized by their heart shaped face.
15. Barn Owls usually hunt at night – even in total darkness they can find the smallest vole using their super-sensitive hearing.
16. Barn Owls’ large eyes are very sensitive too – they can quickly spot a mouse moving in a very gloomy barn.
17. Barn Owl feathers are super soft – this helps them to hunt silently, but they are not very waterproof and get soaked if it rains.
18. Barn Owls have lop-sided ears! One is higher than the other, which helps them to pinpoint exactly where tiny sounds are coming from.
19. A wild Barn Owl usually eats about 4 small mammals every night, that’s 1,460 per year!

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