The Silent Sentinels: Ecology, Adaptation, and Conservation of Owls (Strigiformes)
Owls (Order Strigiformes), with their enigmatic presence, penetrating gaze, and silent flight, have captivated human imagination for millennia. These predominantly nocturnal raptors occupy a unique niche in avian ecology, serving as vital apex predators and mesopredators within diverse ecosystems globally. Characterized by specialized adaptations for crepuscular and nocturnal hunting, owls exhibit remarkable morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits honed by evolutionary pressures. This article provides a comprehensive synthesis of current scientific knowledge on owls, encompassing their evolutionary history, taxonomic diversity, ecological roles, intricate adaptations, species-specific profiles, reproductive strategies, pressing conservation challenges, and enduring cultural significance. Understanding these facets is crucial not only for appreciating avian biodiversity but also for implementing effective conservation strategies in an era of unprecedented anthropogenic change (König et al., 2020).
Definition and General Description
Owls belong to the order Strigiformes, distinct from diurnal raptors (Accipitriformes and Falconiformes). They are instantly recognizable by several key features:
Forward-facing eyes: Enclosed within large, tubular eye sockets formed by sclerotic rings, providing exceptional binocular vision crucial for depth perception during low-light hunting (Martin, 1982).
Facial disc: A concave arrangement of stiff feathers acting as a parabolic reflector, funneling sound towards asymmetrically placed ear openings hidden beneath feathers. This asymmetry allows for precise vertical and horizontal sound localization, essential for pinpointing prey in darkness (Payne, 1971).
Silent Flight: Achieved through specialized wing and feather morphology. Comb-like serrations on the leading edge of primary feathers, velvety dorsal surfaces, and fringed trailing edges disrupt airflow, effectively suppressing noise generated by wingbeats (Clark et al., 2020).
Powerful Talons and Beak: Possessing a zygodactyl foot arrangement (two toes forward, two backward, though one toe is reversible) with sharp, curved talons for seizing and killing prey, coupled with a strong, hooked beak for tearing flesh.
Nocturnal/Crepuscular Habits: While most species are active at night or twilight, exceptions exist (e.g., Northern Hawk Owl, Surnia ulula, and Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, are often diurnal).
Evolutionary History and Taxonomic Classification
The evolutionary origins of owls remain partially obscured, but the fossil record suggests they diverged from a common ancestor shared with other land birds (Telluraves) during the Paleocene epoch, approximately 60-65 million years ago (Mya) (Prum et al., 2015). The oldest unequivocal owl fossils, like Ogygoptynx wetmorei from Colorado (Palaeocene, ~58 Mya) and Berruornis from France, already display adaptations for predation but lack the extreme cranial specializations of modern owls (Mayr, 2009).
Traditionally, Strigiformes is divided into two families:
Tytonidae (Barn Owls and Bay Owls): Characterized by a distinctive heart-shaped facial disc, relatively longer legs, and a notch in the sternum. This family includes the cosmopolitan Barn Owl (Tyto alba) and its relatives.
Strigidae (Typical Owls): Encompassing the vast majority of owl species (~230), featuring a more rounded facial disc and lacking the sternal notch. This family includes eagle-owls, screech-owls, pygmy owls, and many others (König et al., 2020).
Molecular phylogenetics continues to refine our understanding of owl relationships within these families, revealing complex patterns of diversification often linked to geographical isolation and ecological niche partitioning (Salter et al., 2020).
Ecological Significance and Role in Ecosystems
Owls play indispensable roles as regulators of prey populations, primarily targeting small mammals (rodents like voles, mice, rats, lemmings), insects, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. As secondary and tertiary consumers, they exert top-down control on ecosystems:
Rodent Population Control: Species like Barn Owls and Great Horned Owls are particularly effective at suppressing rodent populations, providing invaluable natural pest control services for agriculture and forestry. A single Barn Owl family can consume thousands of rodents annually (Marti et al., 2005).
Prey Selection and Ecosystem Balance: By selectively preying on abundant or accessible species, owls can influence prey community structure and behavior, indirectly affecting vegetation dynamics and competing predator populations (Holt & Leroux, 2016).
Nutrient Cycling: Owls contribute to nutrient cycling through their regurgitated pellets (indigestible fur, bones, feathers, chitin), which decompose and enrich the soil, providing resources for detritivores and plants (Buech, 1984).
Bioindicators: Due to their position high in the food chain, sensitivity to habitat disturbance, and bioaccumulation of environmental toxins (e.g., rodenticides, heavy metals), owls serve as valuable bioindicators of ecosystem health (Gómez-Ramírez et al., 2014).
Habitat and Geographic Distribution
Owls exhibit remarkable adaptability, inhabiting nearly every terrestrial biome on Earth, absent only from Antarctica, some remote islands, and the most extreme desert interiors.
Continental and Regional Ranges:
North America: Diverse habitats host species from the Arctic Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) to desert-dwelling Elf Owls (Micrathene whitneyi) and widespread Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus). Eastern forests harbor Barred Owls (Strix varia), while Western mountains host Flammulated Owls (Psiloscops flammeolus).
Europe: Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) dominates woodlands, Barn Owls frequent farmland, Eagle-Owls (Bubo bubo) inhabit mountains and rocky areas, and boreal species like Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus) occur in northern forests.
Asia: Enormous diversity, from the massive Blakiston's Fish Owl (Ketupa blakistoni) in riparian forests of Japan/Russia to desert species like Pharaoh Eagle-Owl (Bubo ascalaphus) and numerous forest owls like the Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica).
Africa: Ranges from the Giant Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus) in savannas to the tiny Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) in woodlands and the Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) in wetlands.
Australasia: Unique fauna includes the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) of Australian forests, the barking owl (Ninox connivens), and the boobook complex (Ninox spp.). New Zealand has the iconic Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) and the critically endangered Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), a flightless parrot with owl-like facial features.
Neotropics: Exceptional diversity, including spectacled owls (Pulsatrix spp.), crested owls (Lophostrix cristata), numerous pygmy owls (Glaucidium spp.), and burrowing owls.
Habitat Types:
Forests: Primary habitat for many species (e.g., Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis, Tawny Owl), utilizing tree cavities or old raptor nests for breeding.
Grasslands/Savannas: Home to species like Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), which nests on the ground, and Barn Owls hunting over open fields.
Deserts: Inhabited by specialists like Elf Owls and Burrowing Owls, utilizing cacti cavities or rodent burrows.
Tundra: Snowy Owls breed on the open ground, while Northern Hawk Owls hunt over the taiga-tundra ecotone.
Wetlands/Marshes: Utilized by species like Short-eared Owls and fishing owls (Scotopelia spp., Ketupa spp.).
Urban/Suburban Settings: Several species, notably Barn Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls (Megascops asio), and Tawny Owls, have adapted remarkably well to human-modified landscapes, utilizing barns, church steeples, nest boxes, and parks.
Adaptability and Niche Specialization: While generalists like Great Horned Owls thrive across diverse habitats, many owls exhibit high niche specialization. Examples include the insectivorous Elf Owl, the piscivorous Blakiston's Fish Owl, the mollusk-eating Pel's Fishing Owl (Scotopelia peli), and the almost exclusively bat-catching Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus), which is not an owl but highlights niche specialization in raptors. Specialization often makes species more vulnerable to habitat change or prey population fluctuations.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Owls are carnivorous predators, their diet primarily shaped by their size, habitat, and prey availability.
Typical Prey Items:
Small Mammals: The staple for most medium to large owls (voles, mice, rats, shrews, lemmings, rabbits, hares).
Birds: Ranging from small passerines to waterfowl and even other raptors (especially for large eagle-owls).
Insects: Crucial for smaller owls (e.g., screech-owls, pygmy owls) and seasonally important for many others (e.g., during rodent population crashes).
Reptiles & Amphibians: Snakes, lizards, frogs, and toads are common prey, particularly in warmer climates.
Other Invertebrates: Earthworms, crustaceans, scorpions, spiders (especially for smaller owls).
Fish: Specialized prey for fish owls (Ketupa, Scotopelia).
Hunting Techniques: A masterclass in sensory integration and stealth:
Silent Flight: Enables owls to approach prey undetected, as discussed previously.
Nocturnal Vision: While owls cannot see in complete darkness, their eyes are highly sensitive to low light. A high density of rod photoreceptors and a tapetum lucidum (reflective layer behind the retina) maximize light capture (Martin, 1982). However, their visual acuity at very low light levels is often surpassed by their auditory capabilities.
Auditory Precision: The asymmetrical ear openings and facial disc allow owls to locate prey with astonishing accuracy based solely on sound, even under vegetation or snow (Payne, 1971). Experiments show some owls can strike prey in total darkness guided only by hearing.
Perch-and-Pounce: The most common technique; scanning from a perch, then swooping silently down on detected prey.
Hovering: Used by species like Short-eared Owls when hunting over open ground.
Hawking: Catching insects or sometimes small birds in flight.
Ground Foraging: Employed by Burrowing Owls and sometimes Snowy Owls.
Wading: Used by fish owls.
Seasonal and Regional Variations: Prey selection is highly opportunistic and dynamic. Owls switch to alternative prey (e.g., from rodents to birds or insects) based on seasonal abundance, local availability, and during population crashes of primary prey (e.g., lemming cycles strongly influence Snowy Owl breeding success; Therrien et al., 2014). Regional differences reflect local prey communities; for instance, coastal owls may take more seabirds or marine invertebrates.
Species of Owls: In-Depth Profiles
Barn Owl (Tyto alba):
Morphology: Slender, pale owl with a distinctive heart-shaped white facial disc, dark eyes, and relatively long legs. Upperparts golden-buff and grey; underparts white to buff, often speckled. Wingspan ~80-95 cm.
Distribution: One of the most widespread land birds, found on all continents except Antarctica. Absent from polar regions, central Asia, and some islands.
Habitat: Open or mixed landscapes – farmland, grassland, marshes, woodland edges, urban areas. Heavily reliant on cavities for nesting (barns, trees, cliffs, nest boxes).
Behavior: Strictly nocturnal. Highly specialized rodent hunter, consuming >90% small mammals in many regions. Known for eerie screeching calls. Often monogamous for life.
Conservation Status (IUCN): Least Concern globally, but significant regional declines due to intensive agriculture, rodenticide poisoning, and loss of nesting sites. Listed as Endangered in some US states and European countries (BirdLife International, 2024a).
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus):
Morphology: Large, powerful owl with prominent ear tufts ("horns"), yellow eyes, and heavily barred plumage. Variable coloration across range (grey, brown, rufous). Wingspan 90-150 cm.
Distribution: Extremely widespread across the Americas, from sub-Arctic Canada to Tierra del Fuego.
Habitat: Highly adaptable: forests (deciduous, coniferous, tropical), deserts, swamps, grasslands, urban parks, and suburban areas.
Behavior: Apex predator. Nocturnal but sometimes active at dawn/dusk. Extremely diverse diet: mammals (rabbits, hares, skunks, porcupines), birds (ducks, grouse, other raptors), reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish. Aggressive defender of nests. Utilizes old nests of hawks, crows, or squirrels.
Conservation Status (IUCN): Least Concern. Highly adaptable and widespread. Vulnerable to secondary poisoning (rodenticides, lead shot in prey) and vehicle collisions (BirdLife International, 2024b).
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus):
Morphology: Large, unmistakable white owl. Males become almost pure white; females/immatures have dark barring. Yellow eyes, heavily feathered feet. Wingspan 125-150 cm.
Distribution: Circumpolar, breeding on Arctic tundra. Winters irregularly south to northern US, Europe, and Asia ("irruptions" linked to lemming abundance).
Habitat: Open tundra in summer. In winter, coastal dunes, airports, agricultural fields, marshes – any open landscape resembling tundra.
Behavior: Often hunts during daylight, especially in the continuous daylight of Arctic summer. Primarily feeds on lemmings and voles during breeding; diet broadens in winter (hares, ptarmigan, waterfowl, rodents). Nests on the ground on a small mound or ridge.
Conservation Status (IUCN): Vulnerable. Population estimated at <30,000 mature individuals. Threats include climate change (altering Arctic tundra ecosystems and prey dynamics), disturbance (tourism, development), collisions (vehicles, power lines, wind turbines), and illegal shooting (BirdLife International, 2024c).
Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo):
Morphology: One of the world's largest owls. Prominent ear tufts, orange eyes, powerful build. Mottled dark brown upperparts, barred underparts. Wingspan 160-188 cm.
Distribution: Widespread across Europe and Asia, from Iberian Peninsula to Korea and Japan, south to North Africa and Middle East.
Habitat: Rugged landscapes with cliffs, gorges, and open hunting areas (forests, steppes, semi-deserts). Increasingly utilizing quarries and urban edges in some regions.
Behavior: Nocturnal apex predator. Diet extremely varied: mammals (hares, rabbits, foxes fawns, hedgehogs), birds (grouse, herons, other raptors), reptiles. Hunts from perches or low flight. Nests on cliff ledges, rock crevices, occasionally large tree nests.
Conservation Status (IUCN): Least Concern globally, but declining in parts of western and central Europe due to persecution, electrocution, traffic collisions, and habitat loss. Conservation programs involving reintroduction are active in several countries (BirdLife International, 2024d).
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus):
Morphology: Very small owl (sparrow-sized). Large head, no ear tufts, yellow eyes, brown upperparts with white spots, white underparts with bold reddish-brown streaks. Wingspan 42-56 cm.
Distribution: Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests across Canada, northern US, and southern US mountains. Winters across much of the US and southern Canada.
Habitat: Dense coniferous or mixed forests, especially near water or openings. Uses tree cavities for nesting, often old woodpecker holes.
Behavior: Strictly nocturnal and highly secretive. Feeds primarily on small mammals (deer mice, voles), occasionally small birds or insects. Known for its repetitive, high-pitched "toot" call, reminiscent of a saw being sharpened. Readily uses nest boxes.
Conservation Status (IUCN): Least Concern. Widespread and relatively common, though susceptible to habitat loss and fragmentation of mature forests. Banding studies reveal complex migration patterns (Rasmussen et al., 2020).
Physical Characteristics and Behavior
Anatomical Traits:
Eyes: Large, tubular eyes fixed in sockets. Owls must turn their heads to change view direction, capable of rotating up to 270 degrees due to specialized neck vertebrae and vascular adaptations preventing blood flow restriction (Duijm, 1951). Excellent low-light vision, but relatively poor color vision compared to diurnal birds. Near-sightedness is compensated by exceptional tactile senses in the talons and beak.
Plumage: Cryptic coloration provides camouflage. Soft, fluffy body feathers aid silent flight by dampening sound. Distinctive patterns (bars, streaks, spots) vary by species and habitat.
Talons and Feet: Powerful, sharp talons with a unique "raptorial" toe arrangement (zygodactyl with reversible outer toe) for gripping and killing prey. Feathers often extend down the legs (tarsi) for insulation and protection.
Beak: Short, strong, downward-curved beak with sharp edges for tearing flesh. Partially concealed by facial disk feathers.
Communication and Social Behavior: Primarily solitary outside breeding season. Communication involves diverse vocalizations:
Territorial Calls: Loud hoots, shrieks, or whistles (e.g., Great Horned Owl's "hoo-hoo hoooooo hoo-hoo").
Contact Calls: Softer calls between mates or family members.
Begging Calls: Persistent calls by nestlings.
Alarm/Defensive Calls: Hisses, bill-snapping, screeches.
Non-vocal communication includes wing-clapping (during courtship or aggression), body posturing (fluffing feathers, raising ear tufts), and aggressive displays.
Behavioral Adaptations:
Nocturnality: Governed by circadian rhythms synchronized by light cues. Allows exploitation of prey active at night and reduces competition with diurnal raptors.
Predation: The suite of sensory (vision, hearing, tactile), morphological (silent flight, talons), and behavioral (perch hunting, stealth) adaptations culminate in highly efficient predation, especially under low-light conditions. Caching surplus prey is common in some species.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mating Rituals and Nesting Habits: Most owls are monogamous, often forming long-term pair bonds. Courtship involves vocal duets, aerial displays, and food offerings by males to females. Nesting strategies vary:
Cavity Nesters: Utilize natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, rock crevices, burrows, or artificial nest boxes (e.g., Barn Owl, Screech-owls, Saw-whet Owl).
Platform Nesters: Use abandoned nests of other large birds (hawks, crows, magpies) or squirrels (e.g., Great Horned Owl).
Ground Nesters: Nest directly on the ground, often on a slight elevation (e.g., Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl).
Cliff Ledges: Utilize rocky outcrops or cave entrances (e.g., Eagle-Owls).
Little to no nest material is added beyond debris already present.
Egg-laying, Incubation, Chick Development:
Clutch Size: Varies significantly by species, prey abundance, and female age/condition. Ranges from 1-2 eggs in large eagle-owls to 10-14 in Barn Owls during rodent irruptions.
Incubation: Begins with the first egg, leading to asynchronous hatching. Primarily by the female (25-35 days, species-dependent), fed by the male.
Brooding and Nestling Stage: Female broods altricial young (blind, downy) continuously at first. Males provide most food. Older nestlings can thermoregulate. Competition is fierce, especially when food is scarce; younger/smaller chicks often die.
Fledging: Young leave the nest before they can fly well ("branching"), climbing or hopping in nearby branches (Strigidae) or remaining in the cavity/nest (Tytonidae). They are fed by parents for several weeks to months post-fledging while learning to hunt.
Longevity and Generational Behavior: Lifespans vary. Small owls may live 3-5 years in the wild; medium-sized owls 10-15 years; large eagle-owls can live 20+ years in the wild and over 60 in captivity. Mortality is high in the first year due to starvation, predation, or accidents. While generally solitary, juveniles may disperse or be driven from parental territories. Philopatry (returning to natal area) occurs but is not universal.
Conservation and Threats
Owls face numerous anthropogenic threats globally:
Anthropogenic Impacts:
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Deforestation, urbanization, agricultural intensification, wetland drainage destroy nesting, roosting, and hunting grounds. Fragmentation isolates populations and increases edge effects.
Poisoning: Secondary poisoning from anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) is a major cause of mortality, particularly for rodent-specialists like Barn Owls. Lead poisoning from ingesting lead shot in prey affects scavenging owls (e.g., Eagle-Owls). Pesticides reduce insect prey and can bioaccumulate.
Climate Change: Alters prey abundance and distribution (e.g., lemming cycles disrupted by changing snowpack), shifts habitat suitability (e.g., boreal forest retreat affecting boreal owls), increases extreme weather events, and exacerbates other threats like disease (Ims et al., 2008).
Collisions: Vehicle strikes, electrocution on power lines, and collisions with wind turbines and glass windows are significant mortality sources.
Human Persecution: Illegal shooting, trapping, and disturbance (e.g., at nest sites by photographers or recreationists) still occur.
Invasive Species: Prey on eggs/chicks (e.g., rats, cats) or compete for nest sites (e.g., European Starlings).
Natural Predators and Disease: Nestlings and eggs are vulnerable to arboreal predators (martens, raccoons, snakes, corvids). Adults are occasionally taken by larger raptors or mammals. Diseases like West Nile Virus, avian influenza, and trichomoniasis can cause mortality. Parasites are common but less often fatal.
Conservation Strategies:
International/Local Organizations: IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Owl Specialist Group coordinates global efforts. Organizations like BirdLife International, Raptor Research Foundation, and numerous national/international NGOs focus on research, habitat protection, policy advocacy, and public education.
Protected Areas: Establishing and effectively managing reserves safeguarding critical owl habitats.
Habitat Management: Promoting sustainable forestry practices, maintaining hedgerows and field margins in farmland, protecting riparian zones, controlling invasive species.
Mitigating Threats: Regulating rodenticide use (promoting alternatives, restricting SGARs), retrofitting power lines to prevent electrocution, siting wind farms away from key migration corridors or concentration areas, implementing "bird-safe" building standards.
Nest Box Programs: Providing crucial nesting sites where natural cavities are scarce (e.g., Barn Owls in agricultural landscapes).
Research and Monitoring: Population surveys, telemetry studies, disease surveillance, and investigating climate change impacts are vital for informed conservation.
Legislation: Enforcing laws protecting owls and their habitats (e.g., Migratory Bird Treaty Act in US, Birds Directive in EU).
Role of Rehabilitation Centers, Sanctuaries, and Captive Breeding:
Rehabilitation: Licensed centers rescue, treat, and release injured or orphaned owls back into the wild, contributing to population recovery. They also provide valuable data on threats.
Sanctuaries: Provide permanent care for owls that cannot be released (severely injured, imprinted). Play a role in public education.
Captive Breeding: Primarily used for critically endangered species (e.g., Mauritius Scops Owl Otus sauzieri, Sulu Hornbill Owl Otus sp.) as part of intensive, integrated conservation programs involving habitat restoration and reintroduction. Less common for widespread species due to the importance of maintaining wild behaviors and genetic diversity.
Owls in Culture and Science
Myths, Folklore, and Symbolism:
Ancient Cultures: Often associated with wisdom and knowledge (Athena's owl in Greek mythology), but also with death, misfortune, and the supernatural (Roman, Celtic, some Native American traditions). Ambivalent symbolism is common.
Modern Cultures: Predominantly symbolize wisdom (e.g., academic mascots, "wise old owl" trope). Retain associations with mystery and the night in literature and film. Still viewed as omens in some superstitions.
Regional Variations: Revered in some cultures (e.g., protective spirits in parts of Asia), feared as harbingers of death in others.
Depictions in Literature and Media: From classical poetry (e.g., Virgil) to children's literature (e.g., Owl in Winnie-the-Pooh) and fantasy (e.g., Harry Potter's mail-delivering owls), owls feature prominently. Documentaries showcase their natural history, while animated films often anthropomorphize them.
Importance in Ecological Research and Pest Control:
Research Models: Owls are key study species for sensory biology (hearing, vision), flight mechanics (silent flight), predator-prey dynamics, population ecology, and the impacts of environmental contaminants (Newton, 2002).
Biological Pest Control: Encouraging Barn Owl populations through nest boxes is a proven, sustainable method for reducing rodent pests in agricultural settings, reducing reliance on chemical rodenticides (Labuschagne et al., 2016).
Conclusion
Owls, the silent sentinels of the night, represent a remarkable evolutionary lineage defined by their exquisite adaptations for nocturnal predation. Their global distribution across diverse habitats underscores their ecological versatility, while their specialized roles as predators make them indispensable components of healthy ecosystems, regulating prey populations and serving as vital bioindicators. From the diminutive Elf Owl to the imposing Eurasian Eagle-Owl, the diversity within Strigiformes is astounding, reflecting millions of years of evolution shaping morphology, behavior, and ecological niches.
However, this ancient order faces unprecedented challenges. Habitat destruction and fragmentation, poisoning from rodenticides and lead, collisions with human infrastructure, climate change disruption, and direct persecution threaten owl populations worldwide. While some generalist species demonstrate resilience, specialists and those dependent on fragile ecosystems like the Arctic tundra are particularly vulnerable, as evidenced by the Snowy Owl's Vulnerable status.
Addressing these threats requires a concerted, multi-faceted approach grounded in robust scientific research. Continued monitoring of populations, detailed studies on the impacts of specific threats like SGARs and climate change, and research into effective mitigation strategies are paramount. Conservation action must prioritize habitat protection and restoration, stringent regulation of toxic substances, retrofitting of dangerous infrastructure, and public education to foster appreciation and reduce persecution. The success of nest box programs for Barn Owls and targeted captive breeding for critically endangered species offers hope and proven models for intervention.
Preserving owls is not merely about saving charismatic birds; it is about safeguarding the intricate ecological webs they help maintain and the health of the environments we share. Their silent flight and haunting calls are integral threads in the tapestry of global biodiversity. Ensuring their continued presence demands our commitment to science-based conservation, responsible land management, and a recognition of our shared responsibility for the planet's wild inhabitants. The call to action is clear: support conservation organizations, advocate for science-based policies, create owl-friendly habitats where possible, and continue to unravel the mysteries of these captivating birds through dedicated research.
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