Category Natural World, Universal Nests, Secret of the World, Life on Earth, Predators, Prey Raptors

A large owl found in the Americas, the great horned owl is known by many names like tiger owl and hoot owl. It is an efficient night time hunter that strikes from above, and uses its powerful talons to kill and carry animals several times heavier than itself.

Great horned owls have large, thick bodies with two prominent feathered tufts on the head. Their wings are broad and rounded. They are nocturnal birds with a distinct call; it is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots.

Great horned owls have a great appetite; they feed on a variety of prey that includes raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, falcons, and other owls. In fact, they feed on any animal they can easily catch. These birds have an incredible digestive system. They swallow their prey whole and later throw up pellets composed of bone, fur, and the other unwanted parts of their meal.

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As the name suggests, the Eurasian eagle-owl is found in much of Eurasia and is one of the largest species of owls. Females are slightly larger than males; they grow to a total length of 75 cm and can attain a wingspan of 188 cm.

Though they occupy a range of habitats, Eurasian eagle-owls usually prefer mountain regions, coniferous forests and other relatively remote places. These birds can live up to twenty years in the wild.

Eurasian eagle-owls are nocturnal. They are active at nights and spend their days resting and roosting. Though they prey on a variety of small animals, they are rarely preyed on. If they spend too much time on the ground, they will be at the risk of falling prey to animals like foxes. Their powerful feet and strong wings make them effective predators.

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The boreal owl is perhaps the cutest of all owls in the world. It is less than one foot tall with large yellow eyes, a chocolate brown body with white mottling, dark feathers which line its facial disk, and white spots on its head. This cute owl is a sit-and-wait predator that hunts from its perches.

Boreal owls hunt primarily at night; they prey on rodents and other small mammals. They roost in different trees every day. Rarely do they hunt in daylight hours. They usually enjoy roosting in dense coniferous trees that offer protection from extreme weather. These forests also make it harder for predators to spot and capture them.

Boreal Owls are found in the northern reaches of North America, including Alaska and Canada and the northern regions of Eurasia. These birds migrate to the south very rarely.

The barn owl holds the reputation of being the most widely distributed owl species in the world. One of the most widespread of all land birds, it is found on six continents and many islands. It is the silent predator of the night.

Though there are many superstitions surrounding this poor bird, the farmers love barn owls. Barn owls swallow their prey whole. They prey on mice and rats, thereby keeping them away from the fields and barns. They usually feed on small mammals which they locate by sound.

Barn owls mate for life. They look for another partner only if its mate is dead. They have a very distinct appearance as well, with heads that look triangular and white feathers on the face surrounded by brown plumage. Instead of hooting, they give out an eerie screech.

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The Indian eagle-owl is usually seen in pairs. It is a huge horned owl species with brown and grey feathers, found in the forests of the Indian sub-continent. It has a white throat patch with a few black stripes. This bird is known by many names: the Indian eagle-owl, rock eagle-owl, Bengal eagle-owl and so on.

Indian eagle-owls are generally nocturnal. They fly with slow, deliberate wingbeats interspersed with long bouts of gliding on outstretched wings. They usually fly close to the ground. They usually hunt from a perch, but will also make low foraging flights to dive on prey.

These big owls exist in steady numbers, with no imminent danger to their population and survival. However, they are not particularly abundant. Many superstitions are associated with these birds as with other owls. They are believed to be the bringers of death and their distinct calls are considered an ill omen.

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The destruction of habitat of swallow-tailed kites has led to a sharp decline in their numbers. However, thanks to the restoration efforts, their numbers have increased since 2016.

Built like gliders, with huge wings and small, streamlined bodies, swallow-tailed kites are considered one of the most graceful fliers seen in America. They rarely flap their wings during flight; they soar effortlessly and can change directions with the minutest of movements of their forked tails.

These birds feed primarily on flying insects, but during the breeding season they also hunt small vertebrates, including tree frogs, lizards, nestling birds, and snakes. Stinging and biting insects such as wasps and ants also form an important part of their diet. Rarely do they eat small fish and fruits.

It is interesting to watch a swallow-tailed kite drink water; it skims through the surface of water and collects water in its beak.

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