| Have you ever believed something about an animal, only to find out it wasn’t true? Sometimes, depending on how we see animals portrayed in cartoons or movies or books, we can think one thing about an animal when it turns out the reality is very different.
What about owls?
Here are some common ideas people have about owls that aren’t quite right:
Owls Can Spin Their Heads All the Way Around
In many cartoons, we’ve seen owls portrayed as being able to turn their heads a complete 360 degrees. This actually isn’t the case. When an owl is facing forward, it can turn its head 270 degrees. This is still just as impressive and gives them the ability to see 360 degrees around them, but not all in one movement!
All Owls Make a Hoo Sound
While this is the sound most people would make if you asked them what an owl sounds like, there’s much more variety in the sounds that each type of owl makes. For example, a Screech Owl will make more of a trill sound, while a Barn Owl makes more of a frightening screech.
Check out some of the calls they make here.
All Owls Are Nocturnal
While it’s true that most owls are nocturnal, there are a few exceptions. The Northern Hawk Owl and Northern Pygmy-Owl are two species that are diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day. Some owls, too, are active at dawn or dusk, which means they’re crepuscular.
Do you have any other ideas about owls that you aren’t sure are true or not? Reply to this email or connect with us on social media and let us know, we'll cover it in a future email!
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