Owls  

make up the order of the Strigiformes and are well represented worldwide. There exist two major families the Tytonidae or Barn Owls with17 species in 2 genera and the Typical Owls or Strigidae with 164 species in 24 genera. Both are nocturnal birds of prey with similar behavior and looks but have some anatomical differences. The closest relatives to them are the also nocturnal bird group of Caprimulgiformes, the night hawks and potoos, whereas the diurnal raptors are not related at all although sharing behavioral and body similarities due to convergent evolution. Ecuador boasts of 28 owl species, found anywhere in the country, from the high Andes mountain regions right down to the Pacific ocean or Amazon Lowlands and Galapagos islands.

Owls have dark color plumage with different shades of streaks and bars, which helps them to stay concealed in the daytime. They are characterized by their round heads with flat faces and ear-like feathers. Large eyes are set in rigid sockets, which do not allow much movement and thus the owl has to turn its head to be able to look sideways. A long and flexibel neck allows it to turn it 270° to be able even to look backwards. Barn Owls have a heart shaped face with smaller eyes and lack the ear tufts. Owls also show a reversed sexual size dimorphism where the female is larger than the males.

Owls feed entirely on live-caught animals, ranging from small insects, fish, birds and smaller mammals, like mice and rabbits. As they hunt at night they possess an acute hearing which is needed to locate movement of potential prey in the dark. Ear openings are asymetrical on the head and that allows for better pinpointing of the source of the noise. They also have specialized feathers which enable them to fly soundlessly so as not to alert the intented victims below. They possess strong feet and the outer toe can be rotated backwards to help in the grasping of live prey. Once having caught the victim, they swallow them whole and do not tear them apart like most raptors and vultures do. Therefore once a day the indigestible parts of the prey like fur, hairs and bones are regurgitated as a compact pellet. Those are often found littering the ground beneath owl's roosting site.

Members of the Strigiformes are mostly monogamous and often mate for life. Nests are not built and any natural cavities above or on the ground are used. Females which are larger than males lay 2 - 8 eggs (smaller species more than larger ones) which are all white in color. The hatching is asynchronous, meaning that the chicks emerge from the eggs over several days. The chicks are blind, sparsely downed and unable to lift their head and therefore quite helpless in the beginning. Females stay at the nest whereas male provide the food in the first days. Even after fledging both parents continue to provide care.

Birding Vocabulary

Asynchronous Hatching: that takes place over several days.

Synchronous: or simultaneous hatching where all chicks hatch within a day.