Come fall and winter, many organizations, such as local chapters of the Audubon Society and national and state parks, offer programs focused on owls, from walks where participants go out to look, or rather listen, for owls, to more in-depth sessions. In 2021, Massachusetts guide (and Executive Editor), Kim Foley MacKinnon, held an event in the fall in the Berkshires and her group of campers attended a free “owl prowl” at Mount Greylock State Reservation led by rangers. It began with a general lecture about owls inside the visitor center, then everyone had the opportunity to dissect owl pellets (so many tiny bones!), then the group went out on a twilight walk to listen for them. This is a pretty typical program and a lot of fun. Check your local nature, wildlife and Audubon groups to find a similar event near you.
Did You Know?
- Owls are raptors, or birds of prey, like hawks and eagles, and they all use their sharp talons and curved bills to hunt, kill and eat other animals. There are some key differences between owls and hawks and eagles, though, including that an owl’s eyes face forward and most owl species are active at night.
- There are about 250 species of owls in the world, on every continent except Antarctica. All of them live above ground, except for the burrowing owl, which uses abandoned holes dug by other animals to nest in.
- In North America, there are 19 species of owls. The Owl Research Institute has an online guide to identifying them, along with much more information.
- Owls have 14 different neck bones that allow them to turn their heads 270 degrees or almost three-quarters of the way around.
- Owls eat their prey whole and then regurgitate the indigestible fur and bones as pellets.
- Owls are mostly vocal right after sunset and before sunrise. During courtship and the early breeding season, they can also often be heard all night.
- The smallest owl in the world is the Elf Owl, which is about five to six inches tall and weighs about 1 ½ ounces.
Do you have a smartphone?
Anyone with a smartphone can download this free app to learn all about owls (and other birds). Tons of details, along with sounds and calls, can elevate your owl knowledge in short order. There are also features that allow you to add sightings, keep track of your photos, maintain a birding life list and more.
Owls of North America
This helpful guide features several photos of every owl found in North America, as well as some regional subspecies. There are tips on how to identify each bird, with descriptions of calls and vocalizations. The foldable panels allow you to compare species side by side for more accurate identification. It is waterproof, folds up into a packet narrow enough to fit into your back pocket and is quite sturdy. $8.95 on Amazon.
This article by Kim MacKinnon was originally published in Girl Camper Magazine.
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