Owls are specialized predatory birds known for their nocturnal hunting habits across nearly every environment. These birds of prey belong to the order Strigiformes, which includes over 200 species characterized by their upright posture and acute senses. The diversity of owl species means their diet and hunting techniques vary significantly based on their size and habitat.
Moths and Insects in the Owl Diet
Yes, many owls consume moths, but this feeding behavior depends heavily on the owl’s size and species. For smaller species, insects often form a substantial part of their diet, especially when arthropods are abundant during warmer months. These insectivorous owls, such as the Flammulated Owl or the Elf Owl, frequently target large insects like moths, beetles, and crickets.
The Elf Owl actively hunts moths and other large invertebrates, including scorpions. Similarly, Screech Owls and Scops Owls rely heavily on insects as a major food source, though for larger owl species, moths are typically a supplementary food source rather than a dietary staple.
The Core Diet of Owls
The bulk of an owl’s caloric intake comes from small mammals, which serve as the primary prey for most medium to large species. Rodents, including voles, mice, shrews, and rats, are the most common prey items found in the diet of many owls globally. A Barn Owl, for example, is a highly efficient rodent specialist, with its diet often consisting of over 90% small mammals. This focus on high-density prey establishes the owl as an ecologically important regulator of small mammal populations.
The specific size of the owl directly influences the size of the prey it can consume. Large species, such as the Great Horned Owl, are capable of preying on larger animals, including rabbits, hares, and even skunks. Scientists determine the exact composition of an owl’s diet by analyzing the regurgitated pellets they produce after eating. These pellets contain the indigestible parts of their prey, such as bones, fur, and feathers, compressed into a compact mass that is expelled hours after feeding.
Adaptations for Nocturnal Prey Capture
Silent Flight
Owls possess specialized physical traits that allow them to hunt effectively in low-light or total darkness. One primary feature is their silent flight, achieved through a unique feather structure that dampens the sound of air passing over the wings. The leading edge of the primary flight feathers has a comb-like fringe, called fimbriae, which breaks up the airflow and minimizes turbulence. The rest of the flight feathers have a velvety surface that absorbs sound, allowing the owl to approach its target without the prey hearing its approach.
Directional Hearing
A second adaptation is their highly sensitive, directional hearing, which many species rely on more than sight. Many owls, including the Barn Owl, have asymmetrical ear openings, with one ear positioned slightly higher than the other. This placement allows sound waves to reach each ear at different times, enabling the owl’s brain to triangulate the exact location of a noise source. The surrounding facial disk of stiff feathers acts like a parabolic receiver, funneling sound waves toward the ear openings to amplify faint noises made by prey.
Specialized Vision
The owl’s vision is also highly adapted to the dark, featuring disproportionately large, tubular-shaped eyes that maximize light gathering. Their retinas are packed with a high density of light-sensitive cells called rods, which function effectively in dim conditions. Because their eyes are fixed in place within the bony sockets by a sclerotic ring, they cannot move them like humans do. This requires them to rotate their entire head to change their field of view, allowing them to swivel their heads up to 270 degrees in either direction.