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Any of the mostly nocturnal 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 5–28 in. (13–70 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 180k (some species can turn as much as 270k). They nest in buildings, trees, or on the ground. Typical owls occur worldwide except in Antarctica. See also horned owl , screech owl , snowy owl .
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[c mediumvioletred] (as used in expressions)
barn owl
great horned owl
horned owl
screech owl
snowy owl