Although they are classified as raptors, owls are very different from many other birds of prey in their anatomy, feather structure, and hunting techniques. They are noted for their large head and large eyes which are fixed in the skull, making it necessary for them to rotate their heads in order to change their view.
Owls also have a distinctive facial disk which helps to direct sound towards the ears.
The flight of an owl is almost noiseless due to tiny fringe-like structures found along the outer edge of each feather. This allows an owl to fly silently towards its prey without detection. The Screech Owl is one of our smallest owls, measuring only 8 to 9 inches in length. They have yellow eyes and prominent eartufts which aren't ears at all but simply elongated feathers on the top of the head. Screech Owls are noted for occuring in two distinct color phases, red and gray.