Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes, which includes over 200 species. Owls are divided into two families, Strigidae and Tytonidae. The most defining feature of each family is their face shape, with Tytonidae having heart-shaped faces and Strigidae having round faces. They are also nocturnal and apex predators in their ecosystems, helping to keep the rodent population in check.
The reason they seem to fly through the air with little to no sound is that they have special wings. Owls have large, broad wings, a 2:1 ratio compared to their body, and specialized feathers with fringed edges that break up sound waves as they travel through the air. This helps because prey don’t hear them approaching, ending in the owl getting a meal, and the prey’s unlucky fate.
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https://thebirdlore.com/why-are-owls-so-quiet/
https://www.audubon.org/news/the-silent-flight-owls-explained
https://enviroliteracy.org/how-are-owls-so-quiet-when-they-fly/
https://jakesnatureblog.com/2017/09/28/owls-fly-silently/
https://animals.howstuffworks.com/birds/owl-fly-silently.htm
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