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Owls are fascinating nocturnal birds of prey that have evolved unique adaptations for hunting at night. Unlike many birds that are active during the day, owls primarily hunt in darkness, relying on their specialized senses.
Exceptional Night Vision: Owls have large eyes with a high number of rod cells, which are sensitive to low light. This allows them to detect even the slightest movement of prey in near-total darkness.
Silent Flight: Specially structured wing feathers reduce noise during flight, helping owls approach prey without being detected.
Acute Hearing: Many owls have asymmetrically placed ears, enabling precise localization of sounds. They can hear small rodents moving under leaves or snow, even in complete darkness.
Strong Talons: Adapted for grasping and killing prey quickly, ensuring hunting success.
Owls usually hunt from dusk to dawn, though some species may also hunt in the early evening or before sunrise.
Their diet mainly includes small mammals, birds, insects, and occasionally fish, depending on the species and habitat.
Being nocturnal helps them avoid competition with diurnal predators like hawks and eagles.
Owls control the population of rodents and insects, maintaining ecological balance.
They serve as indicators of healthy ecosystems since their presence reflects abundant prey and suitable habitat conditions.
Morning & Afternoon: Diurnal predators hunt during these times, not most owls.
Evening: Some owls may start hunting at twilight, but the main hunting period is night.
Owls = nocturnal birds of prey
Hunt primarily at night
Adaptations: night vision, silent flight, acute hearing
Role: control rodent populations and maintain ecological balance
👉 Correct Answer: Option 4 – Night
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