Let's Give a Hoot about Owls

Owls play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy environment, primarily through their role as predators in the ecosystem. We also found some cool facts about owls too! Here's why they are one of nature’s coolest animals of the night!

1. Natural Pest Control

There are about 250 different species of owls in the world. Most all owls feed on a wide variety of small animals, especially rodents like mice, rats, and voles (also known as “field mice” by those of us not in the U.K.). By keeping rodent populations in check, owls help in several ways:

• Prevent overgrazing of plants and crops – especially in urban farms and community gardens where rodents tend to concentrate.

• Reduce the spread of diseases that rodents can carry. Some diseases can spread to humans or even crops.

• Minimize crop damage for farmers. Farmers tend to not like crows because they eat corn and other food crops, owls are too smart to be scared by a scarecrow, plus, they’re carnivorous so your okra is safe!

Cool Owl Fact # 1!

Owls can swivel their heads 270 degrees! This helps them quickly find and track prey along with any predators after them or their brood. Ok, meme time!

Owls make perfect spies because they can swivel their heads 270 degrees!

2. Maintaining Ecosystem Balance

Owls are apex or near-apex predators in many ecosystems. Apex means they hold a top space in the food chain. Because of that, they help regulate the populations of species below them in the food chain. This balance ensures that no single species dominates the habitat. This is a key element which supports biodiversity.

Cool Owl Fact # 2!

Owls have excellent nighttime vision. Owls have very large front-facing eyes which they use to see – even the darkest of nights – and home in on their prey.

3. Indicators of Environmental Health

Much like frogs, Owls are sensitive to changes in their environment, such as pollution, habitat loss, or a drop in prey numbers (aka: available dinner or snacks). Their presence or especially absence, can be an indicator to the overall health of many ecosystems.

Cool Owl Fact # 3!

Owls can live ten years or longer! There are a few species which can live to the ripe old age of 20. They don’t make great pets however, because they are high maintenance, mostly only active at night, and can become aggressive if handled wrong. So, basically, a flying cat.

4. Support Nutrient Cycling

This feature of owl behavior is an extra bonus! After owls digest their food, they regurgitate pellets composed of compacted bits of bones, fur, and feathers. Over time, these pellets decompose and return nutrients to the soil. This is a very important factor in contributing to the environment's nutrient cycle and healthy plant growth.

Cool Owl Fact # 4!

Owls are considered wise in modern culture primarily because of how the ancient Greeks viewed them in their culture. Owls were considered aloof, and mysterious. They even gave the symbolism of the owl to one of their top goddesses, Athena. In the Americas, native populations saw owls as “spirit guides” and connectors to the “after life”.

So "Who" Cares more about Owls Now? You! That's "WHO"!

Now, you can provide owls a safe home in your own yard!

We love Owls because they help keep the environment healthy by controlling pest populations, supporting biodiversity, signaling ecosystem health, and contributing to nutrient soil recycling. Their presence benefits both the natural habitats and human agricultural systems; win-win. Plus, they’re just super cool! So, get yourself an owl house and help contribute to this amazing animal’s habitat.