Mesmerising Owl Moments | BBC Earth

Summary

In this captivating documentary, a family raises two barn owl chicks, Luna and Lily, guiding viewers through their early development and the remarkable adaptations of these nocturnal hunters. From their extraordinary hearing, which allows them to detect prey under the snow, to their silent flight that aids in hunting, barn owls showcase nature’s wonders. The story also highlights the deep bond between the family and these birds, illustrating the care required to raise them and the awe-inspiring skills that make owls true marvels of the natural world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Barn owl chicks, Luna and Lily, are born and cared for by Lloyd and Rose, highlighting the responsibility of raising these birds.
• 😀 Barn owl chicks are initially blind, helpless, and require round-the-clock feeding and attention, much like human babies.
• 😀 Barn owls are known for being nocturnal, but during winter, they sometimes hunt during the day when food is scarce.
• 😀 Barn owls can appear ghostly as they hunt during the day, with their supernatural flying ability and silent movements.
• 😀 Barn owls' exceptional hearing helps them detect prey even when it's hidden beneath the snow, a skill that other birds, like kestrels, lack.
• 😀 Owls have a unique ear structure that enables them to detect the height and direction of sounds, allowing for precise hunting abilities.
• 😀 An owl's hearing is up to 10 times more sensitive than a human's, which helps them locate prey even when it's out of sight.
• 😀 Barn owls are silent flyers due to their unique wing and feather structure, allowing them to move through the air with barely a sound.
• 😀 A comparison is made between the flying abilities of different birds, with the barn owl being the most graceful and silent in flight.
• 😀 Owls possess amazing aerial agility, able to take off vertically from the ground and perform defensive moves when protecting their young.
• 😀 The superior flying skills of owls, especially in harsh environments like the Arctic, enable them to defend themselves and their families from predators.

Q & A

What is the significance of naming the barn owl chicks Luna and Lily?

Lloyd and Rose name the barn owl chicks because they consider them part of the family. Naming them helps create a personal connection and emphasizes their role in the caretaking process.

What challenges do the barn owl chicks face when they first hatch?

When the barn owl chicks first hatch, they are blind, helpless, and unable to regulate their body temperature. They require round-the-clock care, including being fed four times a day, much like human babies.

How does the barn owl's hearing ability help it locate prey?

Barn owls have an extraordinary sense of hearing, with their round face shaped like a satellite dish to funnel sound towards their ears. They can detect sounds from different directions and altitudes, even locating prey hidden under snow or ground.

What role does the barn owl’s head structure play in its hunting ability?

The barn owl’s head is designed to amplify sound. The round face and ring of stiff feathers channel sound to its ears, while asymmetrical ear openings help the owl pinpoint the direction and height of sounds, allowing it to hunt efficiently.

Why does the barn owl sometimes hunt during the day, contrary to its typical nocturnal behavior?

The barn owl is forced to hunt during the day due to a shortage of food caused by cold weather and snow, which makes nighttime hunting less effective. Daytime hunting exposes the owl to competition, like kestrels.

How does the barn owl’s flight differ from other birds?

The barn owl has silent flight, thanks to its large wings and small body. Its gentle wingbeats create minimal noise, allowing it to fly stealthily and hunt without alerting prey. This is a unique adaptation compared to other birds like pigeons or peregrine falcons.

What is the benefit of the barn owl’s silent flight?

The silent flight allows the barn owl to hunt undetected, giving it a significant advantage over prey. It creates little more than a whisper as it moves through the air, helping it approach prey quietly.

How do barn owls use their aerial agility for defense?

Barn owls can take off vertically from a standing position, a defensive move that helps protect them and their young from predators. This agility allows them to evade threats and ensure the safety of their nests.

What does the story reveal about the relationship between the caretakers (Lloyd and Rose) and the owls?

The story illustrates a deep bond between Lloyd, Rose, and the owls. They care for the owlets as if they are family members, investing time and effort into their survival and development, while also gaining valuable insights into the owls' mysterious world.

What makes the barn owl’s ability to locate prey under snow so unique?

The barn owl can locate prey hidden under snow by relying on its superior hearing rather than sight. While the kestrel, a competitor, relies on vision, the barn owl's enhanced auditory skills allow it to detect even faint sounds beneath the snow.