![]() Barred owl perched above Holmes Creek in northwest Florida. The following details about these and other adaptations are taken from the Cornell University CornellLab of Ornithology – the Owl Page, and Blogs at Cornell University-Anatomy of Owls. To be successful hunters of the night, owls have some truly amazing physiological adaptations, such as the ability to rotate their heads 270 degrees, ears that are offset on the sides of their head in order to pinpoint location of prey, the ability to control feathers on their dish shaped face to direct sounds into their ears, and comb like structures on their feathers to silence them in flight. Because they eat a variety of prey and are significant rodent predators, owls are welcome residents on most farms and homesteads. Nesting pairs of owls and their voracious owlets can consume thousands of small rodents in a year. ![]() Depending on the species, their diet is quite varied and includes, insects, lizards, a variety of small rodents, birds, and even crayfish. ![]() Owls are mainly nocturnal hunters, which means they are most actively feeding at night. It’s an informative site, so be sure to click on your favorite owl for more information and to listen to their calls. These owls are listed in the Audubon of Florida Checklist of Florida Birds and are the:Įach of the species links above will take you to the Cornell University CornellLab of Ornithology providing information about these owls including an audio clip of their unique calls. Compliments UF/IFAS File PhotoĪccording to the Florida Audubon Society, Florida is the year-round home to six (6) species of owls and four (4*) occasional visitors such as the striking Snowy Owl. This closeup of a barn owl shows a few in the large eyes and dish shaped face that help perfect its hearing and sight. To be successful hunters of the night, owls have some truly amazing physiological adaptations.
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