Owls

Feathered Friends’ Facts

By A.G.

20/08/25

  “Hoo hoo” are we talking about? Owls, that's “hoo”!  An interesting and unique bird. They have different habitats but mainly forests.  They have big eyes because they are mostly nocturnal, and they can silently swoop down to feast on rodents. 

  What are owls? Owls are birds. There are over 200 species of owls, and they are split into 2 groups, Barn Owls and True Owls. Owls have big heads that can turn 270 degrees because they have tubular eyes, not round ones like humans! Owls have a rapid heart rate 131-445 beats per minute, which helps them keep warm. Owls can live between 4 and 20 years in the wild. The smaller owls live shortest, and big ones live longer depending on their diet, habitat and exposure to predators.  

  Owls have lots of different habitats, but 80% of them live in the tropics. Snowy owls live in the arctic tundra because they can camouflage with the snow. Owls live on every continent except Antarctica. 

  Owls are carnivores, and they are opportunistic, so they eat any opportunity they get. They can fly without making a sound, so they can catch prey more easily, and they have sharp beaks so they can shred their food. Snowy owls eat lemmings and swallow them whole. Owls can't digest bones, fur, or feathers so they spit it out. Barn owls can eat up to 1000 mice each year! They can’t store food, so they need to eat every few days. This can make it hard in winter.

  We have learnt lots of different things about owls. We saw their diet, habitat and other interesting facts. Their unique qualities make them breathtaking birds.