These are not connected to the ears, and are not used for hearing. Owls fly on soft and silent wings. They can maneuver among trees and shrubs, and drop on their prey without warning. Soft, comb-like projections on flight feathers effectively muffle the sound of air passing over the wings. Hawks and eagles depend more on speed than stealth to catch their prey.
Many owls migrate to the southern portions of their breeding range to spend the winter.
Others, like the great horned and pygmy owls, are resident in Alberta throughout the year, only marginally moving to more favorable hunting areas in winter. The snowy owl migrates from the Arctic to spend the winter in Alberta. All species of owls lay plain white eggs. These are laid over a period of several days. Incubation, and thus embryo development begins with the laying of the first egg.