Owls in Alaska

Alaska is abundant with food sources and untouched wilderness areas for many apex predators. And even with consideration to large birds of prey like the eagle and hawk, owls are some of the most skilled hunters to navigate these wilds. Because of their elusive nature, it takes a focused and patient observer to learn more about them.

Some of us have experienced the reaction we feel when we hear their deep, low, and mystical calls through the night. And if you have seen them in flight, know you are privileged, as this is quite rare. Owls have honed these skills to survive and adapt. We can acknowledge and learn from the beauty these nocturnal (for the most part) beings embody.

Myths and Lore of Owls

Across the globe and through many cultures, a common theme to owl stories seems to present itself; owls represent symbols of messengers and wisdom. Their ability to emulate aspects of the night and leave us in awe at how they can communicate over long distances, or the agility of their flight, adds a layer of mystery to our perception of them.

Some lore characterizes them as markers of death and transition as well as messengers of the spirit realm. Many of these tales are reflections of their natural abilities and adaptations to their environments.

spotted owl in Arctic region

True Owls and Species Variance

Many visit Alaska during the season of the ‘midnight sun’. This is when daylight hours bend to their extremes and very few hours without sunlight exist. This does not cut out your chance of hearing or seeing an owl. Being mindful of the longer twilight hours available during this season offers the chance to still observe this species.

However, winter does offer a better chance for observation with fewer people around. The brisk cold temperatures simultaneously offer owls safety to navigate and hunt. This could offer a better environment to possibly see one in flight.

Currently observers have recorded 13 species and 11 that have been acknowledged by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game. There are two families in the owl world, family Strigidae and Tytonidae. Strigidae are considered ‘true owls’. This means they are categorized by their round faces while the family Tytonidae have heart shaped faces. These characteristics have changed over time to adapt to their environment and support species variance in the owl population.

Adaptations

An adaptation is a change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment and surroundings.

Feathers
The feathers of owls have some of the most aerodynamic form and function; with a stiff edge that has a softened fringe, these birds are able to fly silently and with no air noise. Not only can humans not hear them, many ultra-sensitive beings are not able to detect them as well. (ADFG) Some species of owls have tufts that stand next to their ears. These tufts are actually for camouflage and not for their hearing at all. This helps them to blend in with the forest and appear as if the tufts are a twig or branch. (Owl Research Institute). 'True owls', the ones with round faces that lack the tufts, raise parts of their facial attributes to make camouflage 'eyebrows'.
Eyes
Owl eyes have unique nuances to help them. Their eyes are quite large compared to their head size and can weigh two to three pounds each! They use binocular movement rather than rotation to scan the environment. This is where the ability to rotate their head 270 degrees is essential. This creates a periscope for them of sorts. And although they are considered nocturnal for the most part, they have just as good of vision in the daytime. Owls can have three different kinds of eye color; bright yellow, brown, and orange.
Ears
The ears of an owl are quite amazing. When you search below the feathers you can see that ear openings appear as slits. These birds have ears that are dish shaped beyond those slits. This curvature helps to amplify their sound naturally. Some owls have asymmetrical ear openings that allow them to have hearing nearby while also using distance listening. This is why we see owls tipping and tilting their head as they hunt, it is to change the amplification and locate their food source. This is like having sharp shooter ears. Thus, owls hear higher frequency sounds than most humans and mammals by detecting a 10-150 millionths of a second difference. Their hearing is so sensitive that owls can detect rodents under multiple feet of snow before swooping. (ADFG)
Talons
Owls have four toes. Two toes face forward while the other two face back. They can also reverse two of those two to opposite directions and back if needed. They've got quite the dexterity. The sharp claws they have are called talons and are used for capturing prey and perching in trees. They also make for an excellent defense tool.
Castings
Owls eat their food whole or tear it up before eating. And since owls don't have the digestive enzymes to break that down the food is compacted in pellets, or castings. Then about 10 to 20 hours later they will vomit these castings up. And these offer quite the clear image on what the owl has been eating. (Owl Research Institute)

Whose Afraid of the Dark?

Snowy owl in Canada habitat

Each species adapts to their environments and have specialized aspects to help them survive. The Barred Owl, a medium-sized owl, known for it’s perch hunting skills, resides in the Southeast near wetlands and forested areas. An owl exclusive to certain regions, the Boreal Owl, a small owl (about 10 inches in height) that has adapted to explore the canopied forest.

Some of the largest owls, the Great Gray Owl and the Snowy Owl, at two feet in length, and have the ability to detect rodents under feet of snow. The Pygmy Owl, an even smaller than the already mentioned Boreal Owl (still considered a boreal owl as well)  has seven inches in height, and one of few owls to hunt primarily in the day.

We have explored the amazing adaptations and abilities that owls have that might make them some of the most skilled hunters. So what animals push back against these skilled birds of prey? Well it may come as a surprise, it is song birds. Songbirds have the tenacity and group numbers to harass owls with what has been termed “mobbing”. This means that if songbirds detect an owl nearby they will trill and make lots of noise to essentially annoy and detract owls. So if you hear lots of commotion from songbirds, stay alert for an owl.

If you do get the chance to hear or possibly even see an owl, respect for this animal is first and foremost. It is illegal to hunt or harvest owls, and if you are without tribal rites (as well as governed rights) you are not permitted to possess any feathers or bones of owls. Subsistence clauses exist when it comes to the relations of people and the Snowy Owl however. Let us all do our best to honor their nesting regions and migrations when we find ourselves adjacent to their lives.