Page 62 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

Attack of

the owls

There are over 200 species of

owls that live all over the

world except in Antarctica.

Let’s meet some of the

incredible hunters

in the family

Words Baljeet Panesar

Barn owls are the most
widely distributed
species of owl – and
bird – in the world

Snowy owls have a wingspan
of nearly 1.5 metres (five feet)
BARN OWL
Tyto alba
Lifespan 4 years
Adult weight 250-350g
(9-12oz)
Conservation status

LEAST CONCERN

Barn owl

Their heart-shaped faces make

them a very distinctive bird
SNOWY OWL
Bubo scandiacus
Like other owls, barn owls have excellent eyesight Lifespan 10 years
– as well as a hooked bill and sharp talons – that Adult weight 1.6-3kg
(3.5-6.5lbs)
they use to catch their prey in the dark, mainly Conservation status
small mammals such as field voles, common
shrews and wood mice. One of their ears is placed
slightly higher than the other, which helps the owl VULNERABLE
to sense the direction and distance of a sound to
help it catch prey.

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