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Introduction

Owl

Owl is a symbol of bad omen in certain parts of Asia especially in southern India. Ancient Greeks revered Owl as Athena, the Goddess of wisdom. Ornithologists believe that the owls have special virtues compared to other birds. It is one of those few birds that got spread all over the world without human intervention.

Owl is a predator bird and exists in all sizes. The smallest owl in the world is Elf owl that measures five inches and a half and weighs only 1.4 ounces. The largest is the Eurasian Eagle owl measuring 25 inches long weighing more than 140 ounces (4kgs).

Owl’s senses of vision and hearing are immaculate best suited for its hunting habits during nights. The owl’s face is not perfectly symmetrical. The left ear is positioned higher than the right. The owl can hear sounds above and below the horizontal. The owl can pinpoint the source of sounds to hunt successfully in complete darkness. The Great Gray owl’s hearing is so acute that it can catch small mammals under a layer of snow simply by listening to their movement.

Owl’s sense of vision is far more superior. It is 35 times better than man. The owl sees an object that is close at its feet in total darkness with the only light being the matchstick nearly a mile away.

Owls do not waste their energies building elaborate nests. They often use abandoned nests of other birds. The male and the female have long-term pair bonding and exhibit good parental care of their young. The Great Horned owl of Pennsylvania and Iowa lay eggs in February one of the coldest months of the year. By the time the young owls hatch in spring, the rodent population is in plenty. The parent owls have rich supply of food to feed their young. This way they help man in controlling the rodent menace and damage to food crops.

Owl that lives in Arctic tundra is the Snowy owl. The male hunts for a lemming. After catching one, it sits on a mound of permafrost (solid ice) and invites a female. The dark colored lemming lying on a white background of snow attracts the female snowy owl. Snowy owl is known for its intelligent tactics. The snowy owl co-star of Harry Potter fame generated a great demand for snowy owls. People were after buying snowy owls from traders spending huge money. The World Owl Trust swung into action and discouraged the mania. Snowy owls cannot be tamed easily and they do not make good pets.

Owls’ predatory habits are taken advantage of by certain birds like the waterfowl that builds its nest close to Snowy owl. The arctic fox preys upon the waterfowl. The snowy owl preys upon the arctic fox.. The strategy of the waterfowl is obvious. But its young may be at risk after hatching. The waterfowl quickly moves its young to the water away from the owl.

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