The following pages describe the nine owls of North Dakota and are designed to help you locate and identify these fascinating birds of prey. Four of the nine owls are fairly common nesting species, while the others either nest occasionally or are found during particular seasons. Three of our owls depend primarily on native grasslands and have shown population declines presumably in response to the loss of required food and habitat.
Owls have extraordinary sight and hearing capability.
Their eyes are large and used to hunt during the night. Ears of the owl are even more remarkable. They are openings in the side of the head surrounded by deep, soft feathers, which the owl can shape to direct sound into the ear. The bird's facial disc, generally outlined by some change in feather pattern or color on the face, is also believed to help direct sound into the ear canal. Owl feathers are very soft in comparison to other birds and aid the owl in approaching prey quietly.