Facts About Owls

June 21, 2010 | In: Animal facts for kids

The early bird may get the worm, but an owl will stay up all night for a more substantial meal.

Owls are stealthy nocturnal predators who operate between dusk and dawn, swooping down out of the darkness to capture small mammals (particularly rodents), birds, reptiles or insects. Their excellent vision, acute hearing and silent flight provide these birds with advantages that make them formidable and successful hunters. Because of their predatory nature, they are classified as raptors, although they are not related to other birds of prey such as eagles, falcons or hawks.

There are about 180 known species of owl living in nearly every part of the world, but you’ll be hard-pressed to see one for yourself. In addition to being active only at night, their dull-colored feathers provide superb camouflage during the day. As a result, they are rarely seen in the wild, which makes these elusive birds difficult to study.

Most owls live in forests, but some species prefer more challenging habitats, such as the snowy owl of the Arctic tundra and the elf owl of the southwestern deserts in the United States.