Have you ever wondered how owls can be both super quiet and really loud? It’s pretty amazing! Let’s find out more about these fascinating birds.
Owls are known for their loud calls. These calls can be heard from far away, even up to a mile! That’s like hearing someone shout from 17 football fields away. Owls use these calls to talk to each other, find mates, and let others know where they are. They are some of the loudest birds in the world!
Even though owls can be very loud, they are also super quiet when they need to be. When owls are hunting for food, they fly almost silently. This helps them sneak up on their prey without being heard. Their wings and feathers are special because they are very soft. This softness helps them fly without making much noise at all.
The secret to their silent flight is in their feathers. Owl feathers have tiny edges that break up the air as they fly. This means they don’t make the whooshing sound that other birds do. This special feature helps them catch their food, like mice and other small animals, without being noticed.
Isn’t it cool how owls can be both loud and quiet? They are truly amazing creatures with special abilities that help them survive in the wild. Next time you hear an owl call, remember how far their voices can travel and how silently they can fly!
Owl Call Experiment: Gather your friends or family and go outside to a large open space. Take turns pretending to be owls by making loud calls. See how far away you can hear each other’s “owl calls.” Measure the distance using steps or a tape measure. Discuss why owls might need to make such loud calls and how it helps them in the wild.
Silent Flight Craft: Create your own “owl wings” using paper or fabric. Try to make them as soft as possible by adding cotton or other soft materials. Once your wings are ready, flap them and listen to the sound they make. Compare them to a regular piece of paper flapping. Discuss why owls need to be quiet when flying and how their special feathers help them hunt.
Observation Journal: Spend some time outside or near a window and observe birds in your area. Write down or draw what you notice about how they fly and the sounds they make. Think about how these birds are different from owls. Why do you think owls have developed the ability to fly silently? Share your observations with your class or family.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
[Music]
I wonder how owls can be really quiet and really loud. Owl calls can be heard up to a mile away; they are some of the loudest birds on the planet. However, when they are hunting their prey, owls fly almost silently. Their wings and feathers are so soft that they hardly make any noise when flying.
