The Ears of Owls
Owls are cute looking birds that are remarkably exotic to gaze upon. Owls are nocturnal birds of prey – meaning that they primarily hunt with their sharp talons and curved bills to hunt, kill, and eat other animals. As with most predators, owls have unique adaptations that distinguish them from other animals. A keen sense of hearing is one of those adaptations that the owl has to aid them in the hunt for food!
An illustration of an owl’s skull may be found from British Trust for Ornithology’s website
(https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/project-owl/learn-about-owls/owl-hearing)
Unlike human ears which are symmetrical, most owls have asymmetrical ears. With the eccentric positioning of the ears, it results in a tiny separation between when a sound hits one ear compared to the other. Consequently, this allows the owl to detect the source of the sound with greater precision as compared to symmetrically placed ears. Some owls may be seen with upright “ears” (as shown in the image below), but these are called ‘ear tufts‘. Ear tufts are a pair of small bunches of feathers which are either upright or hang sideways from the sides of their heads. Despite its resemblance to “rabbit ears”, it does not serve as a function of their hearing.
Spotted Wood Owls. Picture taken by Teacher Bani Hakim in Pasir Ris Park
Buffy Fish Owl. Picture taken by Teacher Bani Hakim in Hampstead Wetlands Park
P6 MOE Science Upper Block Syllabus: Interactions (Adaptation)
1a) An adaptation is a trait that makes an animal suited to its environment. Animals and plants are adapted to the conditions of the habitats in which they live. Every organism has certain features that help it to ‘fit in’ with its surroundings. This is known as adaptation.
1b) Adaptations in animals help them obtain food, be protected, build homes, withstand weather conditions and attract mates. Organisms that cannot adapt usually die and may slowly become extinct.
2) An animal adaptation can be a behavioural or a structural trait. Some adaptations are physical. Owls have sharp talons and curved bills (structural adaptations) to hunt, kill, and eat other animals.
3) In addition, most owls have asymmetrical ears (structural adaptation). This results in a tiny separation between when a sound hits one ear compared to the other. Consequently, this allows the owl to detect the source of the sound with greater precision as compared to symmetrically placed ears.
4) All organisms are adapted to maintain fundamental processes to ensure survival.