I saw it take off and I heard absoutely nothing!----saw it pick a moth off of a cabin 1st take!!--heard nothing. I know that this was possible but I never witnessed it---stunning and beautiful---tell me how or why they can do this. curious
2007-08-11 03:00:30 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Yes, owls are silent flyers so prey cannot hear them coming. Check out this website for a good explanation of their flight.
http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=Owl+Physiology&title=Feathers
2007-08-11 05:57:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very neat - owls have very specialized flight feathers that actually muffle the sound when they fly. They can make a little sound if they flap very hard or fast (such as if you surprise them in a vulnerable position on the ground or such), but generally they're effectively silent flyers. This is of course a huge advantage when you hunt based on orienting yourself to your prey by sound and depend on surprise... The size thing is funny - I've noticed that estimating size at night is tricky; most things look larger than they are, especially things like owls that are silent and/or spooky.
2007-08-11 12:27:33 · answer #2 · answered by John R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the owls feathers are softer than other birds
2007-08-11 14:14:32 · answer #3 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they don't give a hoot!
2007-08-11 10:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋