This predation is neither cruel nor wasteful and has been going on for millions of years. It seldom upsets anything except perhaps a few people. An owl killing and eating another animal is no different from a robin eating a worm or a gull eating a fish. Hunting at night, owls use their extraordinary vision and excellent hearing to locate their prey. Special adaptations such as wide wings, lightweight bodies and unusually soft, fluffy feathers allow them to fly silently.
Owls seize their prey, usually a rodent or other small mammal, and kill it with their powerful feet.
These pellets, found at roosting sites, can be examined to determine the owl's diet. There are eighteen species of owls in North America. All owls are protected by state and federal regulations. Owls pose no threat to humans, although adult birds will defend their territory and their young against any intruders, human or otherwise. Unfortunately, superstitions and the untruths about owls will persist which have subjected this group of birds to unwarranted suspicion and persecution.