“But these are they of which ye shall not eat...the owl...the little owl, and the great owl.” Deuteronomy 14:12-16.
Although owls, as unclean birds, were not to be eaten by the Israelites, they were a part of God’s carefully chosen creation, and He has provided for them in remarkable ways.
The smallest of the 200 species is the little Elf Owl, which lives in the cactus of lonely deserts. The Great Horned Owl (the “tiger of the air") and the Great Gray, standing two feet high or more, are the largest. The most common one is the Barn or “Screech” Owl. It is a dull-brown bird about 14 inches tall, marked with feathered legs and stiff, tufted ears. Since it does not build itself a home, it hides in the daytime, and when raising its young just lays the eggs in a hole in the ground.
Another, the Burrowing Owl, makes its nest five to ten feet underground and sometimes takes over a burrow or shares one with ground squirrels or prairie dogs. Other species live in hollow logs or holes in tree trunks.
Except for the Snowy Owl of the Arctic, which finds its food in the daytime, most of these interesting birds hunt at night. The Creator has provided them with large eyes so they can see better in the dark. They can only see a narrow area ahead, but can quickly turn their heads almost completely around, actually seeing more than most other birds. Their eyes are ten times more sensitive to light than the human eye, so they cannot stand bright daylight. If exposed to it, they have a protective membrane that comes down like a curtain, reducing the glare. Their big eyes, surrounded by a circle of stiff feathers, make them appear very formal and solemn and give them the unearned reputation of being wise. In addition to their remarkable eyes, the kind of life they lead would not be possible if they had not also been given strong, grasping talons and sharp, hooked beaks to catch and hold their prey.
While some owls have limited diets, most eat their share of mice, rats, small birds, rabbits, squirrels, gophers and even snakes, skunks and scorpions. In doing this they are a real help to mankind and are one of God’s ways of keeping these pests under control.
Their soft, downy feathers offer little resistance to the air when flying, so their flight is almost as silent as a puff of smoke. Their keen hearing is helped by face feathers curved in such a way as to direct sounds to flaps of skin around their specially designed ears. Thus they can focus on the slightest sound and go directly to it, no matter how dark the night.
In Psalms 102:6,7 we read, “I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.” In these words a picture is given of the experience of the Lord Jesus Christ as He went through this world. He was rejected, except by a few, those for whom He came to be a Saviour. Though He has now returned to heaven, many people still turn away from Him, rejecting His love and mercy. Do not be a part of this Christ-rejecting group, but hear and accept His loving invitation— “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. He longs to have you know His love and saving power.
ML-11/14/1982