Who Gives a Hoot? - An 'Owl'-Encompassing Quiz

Answer: Caprimulgiformes (example: nightjars)

Because owls are birds of prey, they are often considered close relatives of the Falconiformes order. This order, often known as raptors (in a stricter sense of the word), encompasses hawks, eagles, some vultures, and other birds that hunt by day. However, taxonomists have recently determined that owls may be more closely related to nightjars, of the order Caprimulgiformes. Nightjars, a family of birds active mainly around dawn and dusk, are known for their very large mouths.

In fact, these mouths earned nightjars the name "goatsuckers," as it was rumored in ancient times that they stole milk from goats.

Answer: Perching quietly in trees then flying in short, rapid surges to seize prey

Although owls use their wings to get around, they rarely take long, leisurely flights. This is not always the case, as some owls that live in grassland or tundra environments fly for longer distances because there is less tree cover in these areas. Very few owls ever fly above the heights of the surrounding trees, with the exception of the Southeast Asian hawk-owl. Thus, most owls pick out a choice perch at a hunting spot, and swoop in when any prey appears. Owls do not have the speed on land that they do in the air (a notable exception is the burrowing owl), and therefore they almost always approach their prey from above. Finally, owls are solitary hunters; their hunting and survival strategies depend on silence and speed (neither of which may be well-coordinated in a group).

Answer: All of these feeding behaviors are commonly exhibited by some types of owls.

The type of prey an owl hunts is largely determined by two factors: the size of the owl (in relation to the size of the prey) and the availability of the prey. This prey can range from rodents to fish to insects, and there is similar variety in how the owls physically consume their meals.

The most commonly observed method of owl feeding is the swallowing whole of an instantly killed animal, followed by regurgitation. Additionally, at least one study of short-eared owls noted that the owls ate mice piece by piece.

These owls still swallowed the bones, and regurgitated "owl pellets." Finally, certain types of owl (such as the fish owl) swallow live prey.

Answer: Unsharpened, silent talons

Owls are equipped with a variety of mechanisms that make them difficult for the average person to see. Almost all owls are colored to match their environments so that they can blend into their surroundings when necessary. Owls that live in trees are usually brown in color to make them indistinguishable from the bark. Also, the outer feathers of an owl are covered in a downy covering that makes their movement inaudible.

This silence is intended to allow the owl to sneak up on prey, but also makes it hard for humans to use sound to locate owls. Finally, owls are primarily active at night while people are - with some exceptions - diurnal.

However, owls have extremely sharp, curved talons. Owls depend on their talons for killing and eating prey, as well as for gripping.

Therefore, owls ensure that their talons are always well-honed.

Answer: Dusk and dawn

The majority of owls are most active during the transition periods between night and day. At dusk, owls will vacate their daytime roosts in favor of an advantageous hunting perch. After arriving at this perch, owls will usually sing for a short period of time, and then do some hunting. Following the search for food, the owl will return to its perch and sing a bit more.

This hunting-and-singing routine is repeated near dawn, and the owls return to their roosts as the sun comes up. In the intermediate hours, owls are largely unoccupied.

Answer: False

Owls use a variety of means to communicate. Although owls are primarily known for their "hoots," they also communicate through clapping their wings, snapping their beaks, and singing. Owl song is used as a locating mechanism for youngsters who have left the nest, as an indication of hunger, and as a way to attract a mate. Screech owls in particular use song in the reproductive process.

A male bird will sing a song in a lower pitch, and the female with answer in her higher voice. The two then sing a duet, during which the two owls draw closer to one another.

Answer: Located on back of the head

Because owls primarily hunt in the dark, owls may rely more on sound to locate their prey than sight. Therefore, owl ears are designed for optimal sound reception. Owls are almost entirely covered in feathers; the ears are no exception. The feathers that cover the ears are lacy so that the sound is not muffled. Also, there are feathers located around the ear that serve to direct the sound into the ear. Additionally, many owls have an operculum (a mobile flap) near the front of the ear that also reflects sound into the ear. Perhaps most interesting is that fact that the right and left ears are not usually located at the same height on the head.

This asymmetry may allow owls to hear and distinguish a greater variety of sound frequencies. However, owl ears are located on the sides of the head, not the rear. Having ears on the back side would severely limit the owl's ability to hear sounds coming from multiple directions.

Answer: False

The most unusual feature of owl eyes (when compared to those of humans) is the fact that the eyes are rigidly fixed into place. Whereas humans can look at something that is not directly in front of them without turning their heads, owls cannot. However, owls have significantly greater flexibility in the neck than humans. Owls can see out of both eyes, and focus each eye individually.

Some species of owls are color-blind, but those that are have incredible light sensitivity. Owls can contract their pupils, which is necessary to filter out extra light, and therefore can see during the daytime. Even during the day, owls have better visual acuity than humans.

Answer: Paleocene - about 65 million years ago

The earliest owl fossils date back as far as the Paleocene Epoch, the first epoch after the Cretaceous Period. This period is historically significant because it is the first era in which there were no dinosaurs. Many animals of the Paleocene Epoch are still around today, although in significantly different forms.

The Paleocene owl, for example, was much larger than any owl species seen today. Some modern owl ancestors from the later Pleistocene Epoch could not fly. While many modern animals can be traced back to the Paleocene Epoch, diversity between animals was not typical of this period.

It was not until the Eocene Epoch that real differentiation between types of owls (and other animals) was observed.

Answer: Goblin owl

Elf owls hold the distinction of being the smallest variety of owl. Native to North America (specifically Mexico and the United States), these diminutive creatures are roughly the same size as a sparrow. Snowy owls are Arctic birds that have been found on continents within the northern hemisphere. Snowy owls are usually white (or brown and white) and lack ear tufts. Pygmy owls are small owls found on several continents (the Americas, Africa, Asia). Pygmy owls are unusual in that they are one genus of owls that are active during the day, although they still hunt in the evening.

These are just a few examples of the variety seen within the owl population; these beautiful, fascinating creatures are unique in countless ways.