In the past, people have always thought that owls were evil creatures of superstition. They are often associated with witches, worlocks and sourcerers and the dark side to intelligence. The phrase, "Wise Old Owl" has become a great cultural phenomenon. Only in the last few generations have people finally seen that owls are helpful in the circle of life.

Owls are of great benefit to humans because they kill the rodent infestations like rats and mice that spread disease and make people sick. One owl can kill and eat over a 900 mice in one year. Owls have evolved in a special way to help them catche their prey.













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Many owl spicies are night hunters and their senses are adapted for night attacks on prey. They can hear very well because they have asymmetrical hearing. This means they can hear well in all directions. They also use their great eyes to help them see in the dark. When they eat their prey, they don't digest all of their food. Instead their stomach can digest only certain parts of animals. Owls do not build their own nestsbut use old hawk nests instead. They are also known to live in hollow trees, abandoned buildings or specially designed boxes that people make. They also fly like moths.

Owls are running out of wooded areas to live because people are cutting trees down for things like paper and furniture. If we want to ensure that our childrens' children get to see this magical creatures we have to act now to preserve their habitats. Without these wise old birds more people would get sick from the diseases that mice and other rodents carry. So write your congressmen and tell him/her to protect owl habitat.