Owls, captivating birds of prey, are known for their silent flight and keen senses. While their formidable talons and sharp beaks are widely appreciated, a less obvious yet equally important part of their anatomy often sparks curiosity: their tongue.
Anatomy of the Owl Tongue
Owls do possess a tongue, though it differs considerably from that of a human. An owl’s tongue is typically short, often appearing as a small, triangular structure within its beak. Unlike the highly muscular human tongue, an owl’s tongue is not particularly strong and has limited ability to manipulate food.
Its structure is supported by a hyoid apparatus, a system of bone and cartilage. The surface is often covered in tiny, backward-facing barbs or papillae, giving it a somewhat rough texture. Some owl species also exhibit a V-shaped crest at the back of the tongue.
Purpose of the Owl Tongue
The primary function of an owl’s tongue is not for catching prey; that role is handled by their powerful talons and sharp beak. Instead, the tongue plays a crucial part in ingesting food. Its design aids in manipulating prey within the mouth and efficiently pushing it down the throat, especially given that owls often swallow smaller prey whole or in large pieces. The backward-facing barbs on the tongue help direct food toward the esophagus, preventing it from slipping back out.
A notable anatomical feature is the glottis, an opening at the back of the tongue that leads to the windpipe. This glottis reflexively closes when food passes, preventing choking, which is particularly important when an owl swallows large, often unwieldy, prey. While birds generally have fewer taste buds than mammals, an owl’s tongue likely contributes to some degree of taste perception. Additionally, owls can use their tongue to produce clicking noises, sometimes as a threat display.
Variations and Adaptations
The tongue’s characteristics can vary among different owl species, reflecting adaptations to their specific diets and habitats. For example, the barn owl’s tongue is described as long and triangular with a bifurcated, or forked, tip, which may assist in handling its typical small mammalian prey. In contrast, some species, like the great horned owl, may have a long and narrow tongue, which could facilitate reaching into tight spaces to extract insects or other small creatures. The presence and prominence of backward-facing barbs on the tongue can also differ, providing specialized grip for various food items. These structural variations underscore how the tongue, though often hidden, is precisely tuned to the owl’s feeding ecology.