Book 4, Question 54 · Video
Why Do Owls Fly So Quietly?
Silence is a hunting tool! An owl that whispers through the air can hear a mouse. It reaches the mouse before the mouse can hear the wings.
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do owls fly so quietly?
The Big Idea
Silence is a hunting tool! An owl that whispers through the air can hear a mouse. It reaches the mouse before the mouse can hear the wings. Great horned owls and screech owls use the same hush-hush wings. Silence helps the owl surprise its meal, and it keeps the owl safe from noisy surprises too.
Listen First
Step one: listen first. The owl sits quietly and listens. Its ears are placed to help it find where a tiny rustle is coming from. Its ears help judge direction, so it knows just where the mouse is.
Wings Open
Step two: the wings open. Big, broad wings catch the air. That lets the owl glide, instead of flapping hard. Some scientists copy owl wing edges when they design quieter fans.
Fringe Cuts Noise
Step three: the fringe cuts the noise. Soft fringe on the flight feathers breaks up the whoosh of the air. Velvety down soaks up leftover noise, and the talons are ready.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at an owl wing! The soft fringe on the edge of a feather breaks up the noise. The velvety down acts like a cushion for sound. The broad wing lets the owl glide. And the talons are ready to grab the snack.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Owl ears are placed to help judge the direction of a rustle. A noisy wing would warn the mouse. Even daytime owls still have quiet feathers. Watch owls from a path, and do not shine bright lights into a nest hole.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, compare a photo of an owl wing edge with a duck wing. Which edge looks fringed? What job is that fringe doing? Write down your idea.
Outro
Next time you hear the night woods, remember that an owl above you may be gliding silently. Soft feathers make the owl a silent hunter of the night. Keep listening for that whisper! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!