YORKTON — Many find owls fascinating, among those Myrna Pearman who gave a presentation on the birds of prey at the Yorkton Public Library last Thursday.
“I’m not an owl authority, but I am an owl enthusiast,” she told those gathered for the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association sponsored event.
Pearman who is well known for books such as Backyard Bird Feeding with both an Alberta and Saskatchewan edition, said there are two ‘types’ of owls; true owls and barn owls, with a number of species found across the Canadian Prairies.
Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey.
While differences exist from species to species Pearman noted there are general similarities with owls including soft feathers that help the bird fly silent in search of prey, large eyes – with binocular vision meaning they must turn their head to focus their eyes, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and a dish face.
While noting science is still debating there are some who believe owls can actually turn their heads a full 360 degrees to look in all directions when needed.
They are all attributes which make owls highly recognizable.
Pearman said since most owls are nocturnal their attribute make them “very well adapted for night vision.”
In terms of species one might encounter Pearman said, “there is nothing more Prairies than a Great Horned Owl.” They are also the owl most likely to be seen – at least in summer months in the Yorkton area.
In winter many will have seen a Snowy Owl which summer in the north and “move down into the area for the winter,” said Pearman. She added the Snowy Owl is an example of how adaptable owls can be, noting feathered legs for cold weather, white color as camouflage and extra long talons.
In Saskatchewan another notable owl species many will have heard of is the Burrowing Owl which Pearman termed “everybody’s favourite.”
The Burrowing Owl was nearly extinct, largely saved by efforts at the Grasslands National Park in southwest Saskatchewan, said Pearman, adding “They’ve basically disappeared from Alberta.”
Other owls found on the Prairies touched on by Pearman include the Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl, Long and Short Eared Owls and Boreal Owl.
