Test Your Raptor Knowledge

What four features give owls the most acute hearing of any bird, and possibly any animal?

Owls can hear sounds 10 times fainter than the human ear can even detect. Four features support this remarkable ability: An extra large ear opening surrounded by deep, soft feathers that funnel sound; modified feathers over the ear with no barbules (feather features which zip together to make the feather wind-resistant) so the feathers are loose and airy; a moveable flap of skin controlled by muscles around the ear opening, which protects the ear and concentrates sound waves coming from behind; and a face that acts as an outer ear, with two parabolic curves or satellite dishes that funnel sound to the ears and compact, tight facial feathers that aid in the funneling process.

(The US Forest Service)

Back to the trivia page

The official registration and financial information of Rehabitat, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.