FACEB O OK. CO M/ FUNFO RKI DZ • FUNFO RKI DZ.COM
Presents... 3 Check It Out! 4 The Mysterious Owl 6 10 Smart Facts About Owls 8 Going on an Owl Prowl 10 10 Pizza Ollie Owl 12 The Great Horned Owl 14 Puzzles 16 A Snowy Search 18 18 Create an Owl 19 The Burrowing Owl 20 20 Ninjas of the Night 22 22 Owl Funnies 23 23 Barley’s New Friend 24 24 No Hoots Here 26 26 See Like an Owl 27 Cowboy Clark & Larry 28 28 Ziggy’s Mail Zone 29 29 Kidz Corner 30 30 Puzzle Solutions 2
Chase D’animulls/Shutterstock.com
It’s a fall evening in September. I am walking home from my grandparents’ house. They only live three doors down. I have pleaded with my mom and dad to let me walk home by myself. After all, I am not a baby. I am 11 years old. Nothing is going to happen. I just want the freedom to be on my own. I notice it seems darker than normal. The moon is out, but no stars. We live on the edge of town. There are no streetlights. Suddenly, I hear an odd noise. I can’t tell what it is. The sound is getting louder! Then I see something coming right at me. It’s big and has huge eyes. It’s getting closer! I take off running as fast as I can. If I can just make it home . . . Then this huge shadow is right over me. I almost faint. Is it going to eat me or grab me? It flies by. It is the biggest owl I have ever seen in my life! It is heading toward something, but I am glad it’s not me. Now I’m home. I see my new issue of Fun For Kidz. It’s all about owls. Cool! I grab my flashlight, climb into bed, and get under the covers. Before I start reading “The Mysterious Owl,” I make a decision. Tomorrow I will write a letter to Ziggy and tell him what happened tonight. I can hardly believe it!
3
The Mysterious Owl by Ellen Ramsey
On a moonlit night, go outside and look for owls. If you’re lucky, you may spot one perched high in a tree or swooping through the sky. Owls, both in real life and in books, are mysterious and intriguing creatures. They can hide in plain sight, fly on silent wings, see in the dark, and hear creatures moving under the snow. These characteristics make them effective birds of prey.
The feathers on some owls are speckled with streaks and stripes of gray, black, or brown. This makes them hard to see as they perch in trees. Soundless flight is one of an owl’s secret weapons for capturing prey. Their feathers muffle the sound of the air flowing over their wings. Their prey can’t hear them coming! They also fly fast, up to 50 miles per hour. Like eagles and hawks, they hunt for mice, voles, rabbits, and squirrels. They also catch fish, frogs, snakes, and lizards. An owl can’t move its eyes, but they have very flexible necks. Even though they don’t have eyes in the back of their heads, they can turn their heads to see what is behind them. Their superior vision lets them see a mouse a mile away by the light of a match.
Northern long-eared owls have squarish heads.
4
Eurasian eagle owls have orange eyes.
An owl’s ear openings are in slightly different positions on each side of the head. This helps them pinpoint the exact location of their prey. The feet of owls and their strong talons contribute to their ability to hunt. As they strike their prey, the toes grip and lock onto the animal. Owls usually eat their prey right after they capture it. However, they sometimes save it for later. In the winter, if stored food freezes, an owl may fluff its feathers and sit on it. They use their body heat to thaw their meal. On a moonlit night, go outside. You might see one of these remarkable birds in motion. Be forewarned – they may see and hear you before you are aware of their presence.
spotted owl
5
6
7
by Debby Shade Would you like to add some adventure and excitement to your evening? Then an owl prowl might be just right for you! Owl prowls involve observing owls within their natural habitats, anytime from late evening up until early morning. There are steps you can take to make your observation more successful.
Before You Go If possible, visit a bird or nature sanctuary in your area. Many of these sanctuaries offer experts who will train you how to observe owls. Some may serve as guides to lead you to wooded areas to search for them. Many birders like to listen to recorded owl calls to familiarize themselves with the unique sounds of different owl species. Memorizing and imitating these calls helps to attract owls and identify a particular type when it is found. Internet websites and phone apps provide recorded owl calls. Some of the recommended calls to memorize are those of the barred owl, horned owl, and screech owl. You can find these common species in many areas of the US.
What You Need For safe and productive owl prowling, you will need a parent or a nature guide to accompany you. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Try to wear clothing that doesn’t include metal fasteners, which can make noise and reflect light. Owls can be spooked easily! Take a flashlight. It will help you see much better while walking in the dark. If you own a set of binoculars, these will give you a much closer and clearer view when an owl is spotted.
8
great gray owl
Eastern screech owl
barred owl
Best Times to Observe Certain times of day and year can be best for owling. Owls are more active and easier to spot during dawn or dusk. Moonlit nights provide great natural lighting and are ideal times to search for owls. Midsummer to early autumn are good times to observe. So is late winter, when owls are calling more to attract mates.
Where to Find Owls Owls tend to inhabit areas in which they can conceal themselves well and find food, such as rats and sparrows. Owls can be found in wooded areas, fields, and near creeks and other water sources. Even if you live in a city, owls could possibly be within hooting range of your home. They also can be found in treed city parks, tree-lined neighborhoods, or maybe even your backyard!
What to Do A good way to search for owls is by locating pellets, which are indigestible items, such as bones, fur, feathers, claws, and teeth. These extra items are formed into masses inside the owl and later are spit up. Sometimes you can find pellets near a tree where an owl roosts or sleeps. Look for pellets that are tightly formed, gray in color, and damp and shiny. This usually indicates that an owl is nearby. If you locate an owl, keep your distance, and remain still and quiet. Use your binoculars to observe the owl’s details. Tell us here at Fun For Kidz what you saw. Happy owl prowling!
9