Owl - a bird, which differ from the rest of their physiology and lifestyle.They are mostly nocturnal, as well see in the dark.Sharp claws allow them to hunt down and kill its victim instantaneously.What are the different types of owls, and what are their distinguishing features?This is what we will now discuss.Immediately it should be noted that there are about 220 species, but we will look at the most interesting of them.
little about the features of owls
Just a few words about the size of these birds.The smallest member, for which he, in fact, got its name - pygmy owl.Weight birds just 50-80 grams, and length of no more than 20 centimeters.But the most large owl - owl.Often there are individuals that reach impressive sizes.The length of 60-75 centimeters and a weight of up to 4 kilograms.However, regardless of size, all kinds of owls have large head with a magnificent plumage, because of what many may think that it is round.Due to its specific plumage formed flat front drive.Large and beautiful eyes - this is what attracts many of these predators.They eyeball is able to capture large flows with low intensity light, which allows them to perfectly see and track their prey at night.
Ears owls usual without the outer shell.For example, "long-eared owl" has a more delicate tufts of feathers that improve the conduct of sound directly to the ear.Due to the asymmetric arrangement, predator accurately locates the source of the sound, allowing you to quickly navigate.It is worth paying attention to the fact that the hearing for the owl is more important than vision, and is the primary sense organ, because without it, the bird simply will not be able to hunt.Paws for all species of owls are very strong with sharp claws that can instantly kill its prey.
species of owls: a brief description of
Let's look at several groups of predators, which are the most expressive and interesting.We begin with the Tawny Owl.This is truly a night owl, a gourmet who prefer to see on the menu is only in mice.But if very tight with the production may be interrupted by young pigeons, which had not yet left the nest, or land birds.It occurs this kind throughout Europe, but more often in Spain, Greece and so on. N. Previously, it was assumed that they also live in Siberia, but the investigation produced no results.The length of the largest specimens can reach half a meter wingspan of one meter.
Ural owl - owl, which is considered the largest of all known today Owl.The length of an adult male about 70 centimeters and has a wingspan of 120 cm can be. In contrast to all other representatives of the owl, then there is absolutely no difference between individuals of different sex.Specifically, this type is often not limited to hunting for mice.They can also hunt hares, grouse or rabbits.There were even cases of collision herons and Ural Owl, fortunately, both representatives survived.
cave owl is common in America.Nest tears it in the ground, often in the plains, hills.Very often nest in burrows of others, such as anteaters and armadillos.The most interesting thing is that this owl with other mammals can live quite peacefully in the same hole.Confirmation of this was caught repeatedly witnessed.
owls and long-eared owl
«King of the night" - that is the name of one of the largest representatives of the family owl.The length of the trunk of this giant sometimes reaches 78 centimeters and a wingspan of six meters.It occurs in almost all countries of the Old World.Despite the wide habitat, "the king of the night" can not be called ordinary, because it is not as common.In the forests of Russia owl it is very rare, it even brought in the Red Book.It is noteworthy that this predator practically travels, he stays in the nest site year after year.As for hunting, then look for the owl eat out only at night.Both small and large vertebrates may become his prey.Of course, mice love all kinds of owls, as well as representatives of the cat, so they owl pays most attention.
eared owl - is a mini-version of the owl.This predator is different from the above in that it has a thin body and an incredibly developed ears.Additional bundles of feathers of owls make hearing a little bit better.It is worth noting that this kind of specific bird species seen other a little better.If the owl and can not stand the other winged inhabitants, the long-eared owl does not cause such a disturbance.It's not as aggressive, and more sociable.Sometimes you can see how eared owls are going to 20 or more individuals in the same tree.So they sit up late at night, and then the whole flock go hunting.
White Owl: Bird rare and extraordinarily beautiful
Adults reach 71 centimeters in length and has a wingspan while more than one and a half meters.The color depends on the age.The younger the individual, the more brown spots all over the body.Close to the old bird can be quite snowy.Unfortunately, these individuals are very rare, and many naturalists years tracking down long-lived polar owls.Snowy Owl prefers solitude, and the man did not believe his friend for well-founded reasons.Because of this predator loves the backcountry, where spends most of his life.Most often found in tundra and is a magnificent sight, especially when it comes to large 'wise' representative, at which virtually no brown spots.Witnessed attacks on prey which shot hunter.But in most cases this representative owl behaves very carefully and try not to catch the eye of man.Let's talk more about this predator.
Habitat
In fact, the white owl, photo that dream to make the most sophisticated researchers who lives in many countries and areas.First of all, it is, of course, the tundra, but in practice, the bird can fly and slightly to the north.Travelers on their way to the North Pole is constantly met this predator, so it's hard to tell where it ends with a white owl habitat.Beach Shpitsbergera, particularly the north-west and south, also inhabited by these inhabitants, but in small quantities.Occasionally able to observe these owls and near the shores of Novosibirsk.As the tundra, then the whole of its territory, it occurs more or less evenly.But you can find a certain regularity: the more lemmings, which are the main food in the area, the more polar owls, and vice versa.In principle, the snowy owl, the photo is sure to see not so rare, but in view of the fact that it is common in cold areas of the planet, people are faced with her so often.
Reproduction polar owls
can confidently say that the main reason for the high mortality of owls is hunger.Owls are very dependent on rodent populations.In a bad year it killed up to 30-60% of young individuals.If, however, a lot of small rodents, the owls and the population is greatly increased.Fortunately, this type is not so much dependent on this, there is rather a large role is played by a man who hunts this bird.Nesting Owl once a year around mid-May.Laying female incubates for 30-34 days.Sometimes the number of eggs up to 11 units, but the average bird lays 4-6 eggs.The role of the male is in the production of food for the female, and then to brood.Occasionally it happens that the female dies, the male clutch continues to sit.By the way, despite the fact that the owl - a bird of prey and large individuals often die, for example, from the shots of hunters or hunger, a couple themselves they choose once for life.This applies not only to the polar owls, but also many other species of birds in this group.
Features plumage and behavior
As noted above, these owls color varies depending on the age.Juveniles completely mottled have brown spots all over the body, while the average age of the bird is colored spots on the head longitudinal and transverse on the body.But the greatest interest to researchers is of particular elderly.If you can find a very old owl, it is quite possible that it will be completely white, without any patches.But as an owl - a bird of prey, it does not always live up to old age, and therefore cause an unhealthy interest from poachers, who are ready to shoot the birds for their own benefit.No wonder these predators throughout his life trying to avoid people.But it so happens that a man got too close, in this case, the snowy owl pretending to be wounded or even dead.But if the threat does not pass quickly rises and flies away.It's safe to say that the owl - a bird that, first of all, at all costs trying to save her offspring, so will always protect him.To do this, the male guards the female watching from the mountain, and at the slightest threat makes her cry of alarm.
Interesting facts about polar owls
This group of predators is characterized by the fact that they go on the hunt not only at night and in the evening, but sunny day.This often happens in the afternoon, when the owl is particularly hungry.Before you start hunting, the bird flies high on a hill or mountain, whence the monitors for some time.Since snowy owl - bird hunting on relatively small plots of land, within a day you can not lose sight of.Of course, sometimes even the most experienced experts owls can not get close to the shot distance to the bird.Most individuals are extremely fearful, despite the fact that the direct threat they come across very rarely, due to a poor population of their habitats.Perhaps this reaction says a well-developed instinct for self-preservation.It should be noted that the snowy owl - a bird that is able to repel predators such day as a hawk or eagle.In large animals, they rarely attack, but on the nest with young sovyatami often stare.
notable features
majority of researchers from around the world are gradually coming to the conclusion that a family of owls - an independent party.This is indicated by the anatomical features, many of which have nothing to do with daytime predators.However, it should be understood that various groups of owls sometimes have nothing to do with each other, in addition to anatomy.Some hunt at night, and others, preferably in the afternoon.For example, the owl has impressive size and pygmy owl is the complete opposite of her.If the hawk owls have similarity with hawks, owls and long-eared - with the owl, the same polar owls can be considered in some way unique birds, though, because near the nests of these predators often settle ducks and other waterfowl.And they live peacefully next to each other.This is due to the fact that the owl has never hunted in the vicinity of the nest, unlike some other predators.Although during the hunger strike, and this is possible.In any case, you at least once to see how to obtain food owl.Photos bird which hunts, has a great many, but they are all extracted hard work.
Conclusion For years, scientists have conducted various studies, so today we have a lot of information about these predators.For example, despite the fact that the owl - a bird the night, she did not see in the dark, like a man.Therefore, if you put a predator in the dark room, where not exposed to the light rays, and run to the rodent, it will be eaten only when will issue a rustling or sound.Yet unnatural conditions also affect foraging, because it is a bird of the forest.Owl in many ways is the perfect predator.
sometimes even between relatives, conflicts occur.In this case, a night owl chooses a variety of methods of defense, trying to scare the owl, but by owl or other large animals hides, often disguised in the branches of trees.It is also noteworthy that the owl is great to hear even when flying.Most importantly - the victim is killed with a probability of 99%, so we can say that the owl is rarely wrong.
Well, perhaps, all that can be said about who this night owl.Description poultry may vary depending on its type.But everything is lethal predators, murderers.Silent flight, gorgeous eyes and ears, and sharp claws make themselves felt.Hard to say, useful or harmful owl.Small birds are hunted only in rodents that harm farmland, a large can kill the ducks and rabbits and rabbits, to the detriment of agriculture.
