n.
Any of the mostly nocturnal birds of prey in the order Strigiformes: typical owls (family Strigidae), barn and grass owls (Tytonidae), and bay owls (Phodilidae).
Their virtually noiseless flight and protective (usually brown) coloration aid in capturing insects, birds, and small mammals. Owls have round, forward-looking eyes, a sharply hooked beak, and acute hearing and vision. They are 528 in. (1370 cm) long. Some species have a disk framing the face or ear tufts that help locate prey by reflecting sound to the ears. Owls can turn their head 180° (some species can turn as much as 270°). They nest in buildings, trees, or on the ground. Typical owls occur worldwide except in Antarctica. See also horned owl , screech owl , snowy owl .