HOW OWLS HUNT
Why these birds are among the most precise predators in the world
WORDS SCOTT DUTFIELD
ABlakiston’s fish owl hunting in a frozen pool
Known as a symbol of wisdom and intellect, owls are some of the most clued-up killers in the animal kingdom. The majority of owls are nocturnal ambush hunters. Waiting perched on a low branch or fence post, owls use their amazing sight and hearing to locate prey, such as small mammals, before quickly swooping to the ground to snatch them up, or grabbing flying prey, such as insects or small birds, in midair. Hunting during the night means that owls have to be equipped with night vision. Like the human eye, owls have optical cells called rods and cones. Rods recognise light, while cones capture colour. However, in an owl’s eye there are far more rods than cones so they can spot their prey in very low light.