Owls

247 species

Owls are mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl and the gregarious burrowing owl. There are over 200 species of owls recognized. These birds are found in all regions of the Earth except the polar ice caps and some remote islands. Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as 270° and have a binocular vision; their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they must turn their entire heads to change views. Owls are unable to clearly see anything within a few centimeters of their eyes. They catch prey feeling it with the use of filoplumes - hairlike feathers on the beak and feet that act as \"feelers\". Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good. Owls are divided into two families: the true (or typical) owl family, Strigidae, and the barn-owl family, Tytonidae. A group of these birds is called a \"parliament\".
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Owls are mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl and the gregarious burrowing owl. There are over 200 species of owls recognized. These birds are found in all regions of the Earth except the polar ice caps and some remote islands. Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as 270° and have a binocular vision; their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they must turn their entire heads to change views. Owls are unable to clearly see anything within a few centimeters of their eyes. They catch prey feeling it with the use of filoplumes - hairlike feathers on the beak and feet that act as \"feelers\". Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good. Owls are divided into two families: the true (or typical) owl family, Strigidae, and the barn-owl family, Tytonidae. A group of these birds is called a \"parliament\".
show less