Owls

Appearance

Each species of owl is unique in appearance, however the common features that characterise this nocturnal bird of prey are their large forward-facing eyes, flat face, and hooked, hawk-like beak. 

Distribution and habitat

Owls are adaptable to varying habitats and can be found in a range of environments including woodlands, grasslands, snowy mountains and desert regions. Their primary habitat is in the hollows of trees making them particularly reliant on the protection of old growth forests. 

Diet

Owls are carnivorous birds of prey that feed on small tree- and ground-dwelling mammals, insects, frogs and reptiles. 

Behaviour

Owl species are crepuscular or nocturnal – predominantly active at dusk and dawn or at night. They are typically solitary animals until they pair up to breed and care for their young. 

Owls are unable to chew their food and as such eat their prey whole. An owl will regurgitate the indigestible parts of their prey in pellets. 

Breeding season

Owls are oviparous – they produce young by laying eggs which are incubated by the parents until they hatch. While some species of owls, such as the barn owl, mate for life, others change mates each year. A female owl will lay three to four eggs per breeding season. Breeding season varies across the different sub-species of owls.