Owls are seldom seen, but can be heard at night. These magnificent birds are wonderful to have around, and once in awhile you can catch a glimpse of them as they sail silently through the night sky.
Owls are important to our gardens because they are great scavengers of mice and rats.
Their hearing is so acute that they can detect the location and direction of a mouse under leaves and in total darkness. Their fluffy plumage makes their flight nearly soundless. Their large eyes and solemn look gives rise to the belief that they symbolize wisdom. Because owls can see in the dark, they were once believed to possess supernatural powers. The three owls featured below are the most common year round inhabitants in North America.