Feathers within the characteristic facial disc are positioned so as to funnel sound to the ears. Stiff feathers bordering the ear slits are attached to moveable flaps so an owl can change the shape of its ear opening and focus its hearing. When swooping on its prey on of the owl's outer toes can be brought around so the four talons grip from four different directions. Large amounts of indigestible fur, feathers and bones are swallowed but once or twice a day these items are regurgitated, in tightly-packed pellets. Masked owls, which have a more silent flight, huge ears and better hearing, hunt by patrolling their territory on the wing and pouncing, after which the prey is carried in the beak and usually swallowed whole.
Power poles can be hazardous for medium to large birds too.
If they touch two electrical wires at the same time, or a single-phase and a ground wire, they will be electrocuted. All sized owls may be at risk from pole-top transformers. To reduce risk, the insulation of closely spaced wires and the provision of safe perches are efficient and cost effective methods. It is also likely that the bird may be injured or killed from colliding with the electrical wires or structures. While feeding on road-killed animals, many owls themselves are killed by vehicles.