Page 65 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

Owls

Burrowing owls will take
over burrows of other
animals such as prairie
dogs and tortoises

The

burrowing

This owl is very

owl different to most

Found in the Americas, these owls live
in underground burrows. These clever
creatures will use a larger animals’
dung to cover their burrows that
attracts prey, such as insects. They’ll
also eat small mammals, reptiles and
amphibians. These owls hunt by walking
or running on the ground, as well as
eating insects in mid-air.

BURROWING OWL
Athene cunicularia
Lifespan 6-8 years
Adult weight 150g (5.3oz)
Conservation status
© Thinkstock

LEAST CONCERN

Ospreys

These birds can travel up to 8,050 kilometres
(5,000 miles) during their annual migrations

Ospreys belong to the family Pandionidae, the only members of
this family. They are skilled at hunting fish, which makes up 99%
of their diet. They catch their meal by diving from 30 metres (100
feet) high to the water surface – and in some cases they can dive
a metre (three feet) into the water. Their powerful feet have spikes
that prevent their prey from escaping and once they have reached
a safe place for feeding, they’ll use their bill to tear it apart. Once © Thinkstock
they’ve had their fill, they’ll discard the leftovers and in some cases
they may come back to have more.

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