Facts about Owls

Last week, we celebrated the power of gratitude for items and experiences beginning with the letter N. Today, we invite you to share something you are thankful for that starts with the letter O. Your contributions can inspire a deeper spirit of appreciation and reflection.

I'm filled with gratitude for the enchanting world of owls! They are such fascinating creatures. What about you? What’s something you’re thankful for that starts with the letter O?

🦉 Whooo’s That? Exploring the Mysterious World of Owls

With eyes like golden moons and wings that whisper through the night, owls are some of nature’s most magical creatures. But beyond their spooky charm lies a bundle of feathered facts waiting to be discovered!

Let’s take a silent swoop through the world of owls…

🌙 1. Owls Can Fly Silently

Unlike most birds, owls have specially shaped feathers that muffle sound, so when they fly, you barely hear a flutter. This helps them sneak up on prey with ninja-like precision.

👀 2. Their Eyes Don’t Move—but Their Necks Sure Do!

Owls’ eyes are fixed in place, which means they can’t look around the way we do. Instead, they twist their necks up to 270 degrees to scan their surroundings. That’s almost a full circle!

🦗 3. They Swallow Prey Whole

When owls catch a meal, like a mouse or insect, they often swallow it in one big gulp. What they can't digest (like bones and fur) gets spit up later as a little fuzzy pellet.

🧠 4. Owls Have Asymmetrical Ears

Their ears aren’t lined up! One ear is higher than the other, helping them pinpoint sounds from different directions, even under leaves or snow. That’s some serious detective-level listening.

🏜️ 5. Owls Live Almost Everywhere

From icy tundras to tropical rainforests, owls have made homes on nearly every continent. The burrowing owl lives underground, while the great horned owl prefers forests and deserts.

🐥 6. Baby Owls Are Called Owlets

When they hatch, owlets are covered in soft fluff and chirp like little squeaky toys. As they grow, they shed those fuzzy feathers and get their grown-up look.

👓 7. Some Owls Hunt in Daylight

Not all owls are night owls! Species like the snowy owl and northern hawk owl are active during the day, especially in polar regions where it stays light for months.

🎖️ 8. Owls Help Represent Wisdom and Honor Veterans

In many cultures, owls symbolize knowledge and wisdom, which is why they appear in books, school emblems, and graduation caps. In some U.S. programs, owl imagery is also used to honor veterans, symbolizing watchfulness, protection, and noble service.

💫 Bonus Owl-some Facts!

• A group of owls is called a parliament. Fancy, right?
• Owls can rotate their toes to grip branches in all directions.
• The world’s smallest owl, the elf owl, is barely larger than a golf ball!
• The largest owl, the Blakiston’s fish owl, has a wingspan of over 6 feet.

There’s a lot to be thankful for! Showing appreciation is great for your mental health. It lifts your spirits and makes the people around you happy, too. So, don’t forget to show some gratitude!

Next week, we will embark on a celebration dedicated to the many remarkable aspects associated with the letter P. Let us take a moment to express our gratitude for a wide range of contributions, from comforting essentials to intriguing discoveries. This is a wonderful opportunity to embrace and appreciate the various delights that begin with this distinctive letter.

Books about Owls:

1. Owls (Amazing Animals) by Valerie Bodden

2. Owl Kids Coloring Book by Jackie Fluffy

3. A Little Owl on a Big Adventure by Carol Finkelstein

4. The Barn Owls by Tony Johnston

Parents, be sure books are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

Get your Owl coloring/worksheet here: