Celebrated more than any other avian species, Tawny Owls remain elusive, scarcely gracing us with their presence. This species, Britain’s most common leads a predominantly nocturnal existence, despite there being roughly 50,000 breeding pairs in the UK. But, while they might be out of sight, they are far from being out of mind (and ear). […]
Tag: owls
What an orphan owl taught an ecologist about bird intelligence
Owls are associated with intelligence, which isn’t surprising, because these birds have incredible smarts and even distinct personalities, as ecologist Carl Safina learned firsthand. After he and his wife Patricia rescued a baby screech owl that couldn’t be returned to the wild, they learned a lot about what owls are really like, as it grew […]
Spooky, stealthy night hunters: Revealing the wonderful otherworld of owls
The calls of owls come to me most nights through the open window of my bedroom. Mostly it is the soft, repeated, rhythmic “more … pork, more … pork” of a pair of boobooks. Sometimes, more grandly, it is the deeper, slower “woo hoo … woo hoo” of a powerful owl, hunting for possums in […]
Hoot Hoot! 5 Times We Loved Seeing Owls Getting Rescued
In the enchanting world of wildlife rescue, few creatures captivate our hearts quite like owls. These majestic nocturnal birds of prey, with their haunting hoots and mysterious allure, have long held a special place in human folklore and imagination. But beyond the realm of mythology, owls face real-world challenges that can sometimes lead them into […]
MMORPG Soundscapes: Creating Realistic and Immersive Virtual Environments
In the vast and exciting Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG), players are transported to realms full of adventure, magic and the unknown. But beyond the stunning visuals and intricate gameplay, there is an aspect that often goes unnoticed but deeply shapes our experience: soundscapes. Carefully designed and expertly integrated, these sonic tapestries are the […]
Why Owls Are Important for The Ecosystem
Owls are one of the more iconic bird species. They have for centuries been used as a symbol of wisdom. More recently, they have become a familiar, cartoonish image on home décor items ranging from wallpaper to pillowcases to figurines. And, ever the crafty, silent assassin of night, owls are renowned for their ability to […]
Peak District bird-watcher describes moment owl ‘burst into a cloud of feathers’
A bird-watcher has spoken about the horrifying moment an owl he was watching was shot. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, saw the short-eared owl shot in front of his eyes while birding on Broomhead Moor in the Peak District. Having stopped at the walking spot in the north of the national park on […]
Bats are the death metal singers of the animal world, research shows
It has long been known Ozzy Osbourne has a taste for bats. But now it seems the mammals are also fans of his. Bats greet each other with death metal growls, scientists have discovered, and possess a vocal range which far surpasses that of most humans. While they emit ultrasonic chirps to echolocate flying insects […]