Owls

Predators Of The Night

Vermont Owls

• We have seven different owls in Vermont.

• Snow owl visits but does not live here.

Owl Sounds

We will now listen to the

different owl

sounds.

To hear sounds, click on

Practice here.

Great Horned Owl

“Who’s awake? Me, too”

Northern Saw-whet Owl

“I-can-do-this-all-night-long”

Barred Owl

“Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?”

Long-eared Owl

Yipping like a small dog

“wooip”

Short-eared Owl

“poo poo poo poo poo”

Eastern Screech Owl

Descending horse whinny

Barn owl

Screaming or screech

“csssssshhH”

What is the name of each owl?

Great Horned Owl

Northern Saw-whet

Owl

Barred Owl

Long eared Owl

Short eared OwlEastern Screech

Owl

Barn Owl

Great Horned Owl Long-eared owl

Short-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl

Eastern Screech-Owl

Barn Owl

Barred Owl

What do you notice about their eyes?

Click on screen for the answer.

The eyes of the owl are in the front of the head and the eyes of the blue bird are on the side of the head.

Eye position

Remember the saying:

Eyes to the side---must run and hide

Prey

Eyes to the front---must hunt

Predator

Knowing this, is an owl a Predator or prey?Click screen to see answer

Predator

Food

• Most food is eaten whole

• Fur, bone, and feathers are regurgitated as oblong pellets

Owl Adaptations

• Head

• Ears

• Eyes

• Talons

• Wings

• Beaks

Head

• Head can turn 270* in either direction

• Flexible neck with 14 cervical vertebrae

Eyes

• Eyes are large

• Top eyelid can be lowered

• Binocular vision

Ears

• Dish shaped face funnels sound to ears

• Ears are just below and behind eyes

• Ears are lopsided for better hunting

Beaks

• Hooked beaks for tearing food

• Upper and lower edges meet like shears

Talons

• Talons covered in feathers

• Grow at same rate as worn down

• Talons get sharper as they grow

Wings

• Like a comb to minimize noise

• Virtually silent

• Velvety soft surface with fringes on the back

Hands on activities

• Owl Ears Game

• Owl And Mouse Game

• Pellet Investigation

The End

We will now participate in the three fun activities I have for you, and then have a fun snack.

Bibliography

• http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Bubo&species=virginianus

• http://www.vinsweb.org/education/elf/volunteers.html

• http://www.barnowls.com/attract.html