The Great Grey Owls locating and capturing prey solely by sound

Barn Owls have a disk-shaped face that is said to resemble a heart. This disk is not decorative—it performs an important function. The owl's ears are placed asymetrically on the sides of its head. The disk around the face helps to funnel sound into the owl's ears and allows it to zero in on the exact location of prey - even in total darkness. They have the best hearing of any animal tested. The Barn Owl's face can be thought of as the outer part called pinnae) of its ears with the sole purpose of directing sound into the ear openings. Barn owls are capable of locating and capturing prey solely by sound, although they also have excellent night vision. This "satellite dish" on the Barn Owl's face is so important it has a unique accessory that no other owl has: a special "comb" on one toe of each foot, which is used to comb the disk and keep it in good shape.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• barn
• owls
• echolocation
• science
• waves
• physics

[redmiatagirl]

This is a Great Grey. Someone should change the title.

[minky103]

Someone should have told the lemming that the owl was coming for lunch.

[InknWater32]

That's a Great Grey owl.

Barn owls are golden and yellowy-tan with black specks with a white underside.

[TomTonner]

Jesus Christ that owl looks hilarious.

[santagotback101]

@sorukai Not really... but still... that looks more like a great grey

[sorukai]

@santagotback101 Is there a difference in how they capture their prey?

[santagotback101]

Why does that barn owl look like a Great Grey? Oh wait it might be a sooty or a boreal...

[cycloneweaver]

I am very impressed with the quality of this work, the hours it must have taken to photograph the action and then do the animated x-ray background work. Bravo!

[cableguy91]

owl is watching you... be aware.