The Owl’s World Part 2
In the last issue we looked at owls in general and then specifically at the one known as the barn owl. Let’s look at another one that is unusually interesting.
Great Horned Owl
Weighing about 3 pounds and measuring 24 inches long from beak to the tip of its tail, this is one of the largest, with the nickname winged tiger because of its boldness and power. It is found in both the eastern and western United States and in Canada all the way into the Yukon.
The name “great horned” comes from the two tufts of feathers on its head that look like ears or horns. Its actual ears are not visible, but are hidden under light feathers on the sides of its head. Its hearing is thought to be the most sensitive hearing in the bird and animal world. With this hearing it can pinpoint the squeak of a mouse or the faint rustle of a beetle moving through dry leaves 300 feet away.
But it does not have to rely entirely on its ears, for its eyes are as large as a man’s and 35 times more sensitive. (Unlike the eyes of most birds, owls’ eyes point forward—they can watch an object with both eyes at the same time, like we do.) Its vision is so keen that it can watch prey a long way off that would be impossible for our eyes to see.
A large, swiveling head enables it to locate prey in almost any direction without moving its body, whether by actual sight or by what its sensitive ears pickup. Taking off from its perch, the owl focuses on an unsuspecting target. The shape of its wings and its fluffy feathers muffle the swishing sound that most birds make when they fly. It silently swoops down, landing on the prey. With its legs braced forward, in one quick move it tosses the victim’s head back, killing it instantly.
The great horned is the boldest of all owls in defending its nest. It is not uncommon for someone trying to get close to be suddenly dive-bombed, receiving painful cuts and torn clothes.
For 9 or 10 weeks the young ones rely on the parents for food, but eventually it is up to them to catch their own. Learning to fly is difficult. On first flight attempts they sometimes end up on the ground. Unable to fly back, they grip the bark of the tree with claws and beak, climbing to a branch, resting awhile, then continuing to climb to a high perch.
In our next issue we will look at two more of these remarkable birds and the ways the Creator, knowing all about each one of them, has designed them for their particular way of life. The opening Bible verse tells us this.
ML 07/22/1990