Size: Length; 60cm. Wingspan; 143cm. Weight; 2500g.

Habitat and distribution: Alaska, North and South America, down to Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. Large range of wooded habitats.

Age: 28 years.

Breeding: Nest high up in tree forks, often nest in other large bird nests, also on cliff ledge or on the ground. Lay up to 3 eggs, which are incubated by the female for around 30 days.

Diet: Mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects.

• 189 species make up the family Strigidae (typical owls, but excluding Barn Owls).
• Females are generally larger than males.
• Owls have excellent hearing; their disc–shaped faces are designed to direct the slightest sound to the large ear openings.
• An owl’s neck has twice as many vertebrae as a human’s, which enables them to rotate their heads 270 degrees.
• Their eyes are designed for optimum binocular vision in low light; these adaptations allow them to locate prey easily.
• Finally their feathers are specially adapted to allow them to fly silently; this enables them to catch prey before being detected.