The fascinating study by E.Mori, M.Menchetti & F.Dartora, highlights previously unknown aspects of carrion feeding by long-eared owls.

Owls, particularly those belonging to the order Strigiformes, are fascinating nocturnal raptors whose sensory adaptations are crucial for their survival and hunting success. Unlike many birds that rely heavily on sight, owls have evolved to depend primarily on their exceptional auditory systems. This shift in reliance from vision to hearing is largely due to their nocturnal habits, which make it difficult to rely on sight alone in the dark. Their large eyes, relative to their skull size, do aid in gathering light, but it is their acute hearing that plays the most significant role in their ability to hunt effectively at night.

The specialized auditory systems of owls are a product of evolution, fine-tuned to detect even the faintest sounds in their environment. This adaptation is critical for locating prey, which often includes small mammals such as rodents that are active during the night. The ability of owls to hear their prey moving on the ground, even under conditions where visibility is low, gives them a significant advantage. Additionally, the fringed edges of their flight feathers allow owls to fly almost silently, further enhancing their ability to approach prey undetected. This combination of silent flight and acute hearing makes owls … read full article in our ‘FREE STUFF’ archive here