Even though owls are common throughout many countries, they retain a reputation for mystery and superstition. If you do get to spot one, it is often perched in a tree with it’s legs and feet mostly hidden. Recent videos and photos spread across the internet of owls’ long legs have piqued the curiosity of many. In this article we will look at 10 interesting facts about owl legs.
10 Facts about Owl Legs
For a bird that you often see perched and crouched, seeing the true length of an owls legs may be quite a surprise! While the proportions of an owls’ legs can sometimes make them look silly, it’s also a testament to how well-adapted these beautiful birds are to their ecological niche.
1. Owl Legs Have Wickedly Sharp Taloned Feet
Owls have four toes on each foot. Two point forward, one points backward, and the outer toe can go in either direction. Each talon is razor-sharp and can easily draw blood or impale prey upon impact. The sharpness of owl talons is one reason why animal handlers and biologists use thick leather gloves to hold these creatures.
Prey doesn’t stand a chance when it gets grabbed by these pincers.
2. Owls Grab Prey from the Air by Using their Legs
Owls are carnivores, meaning they catch and eat other animals in order to live. To hunt successfully, these birds of prey perch in a tall tree or snag near an open area like a field or forest clearing. Once they spot their intended prey, they fly silently to it and quickly grab it by extending their legs and splaying their talons.
After catching dinner, the owl might eat on the spot. However, it’s more likely that the bird will fly off to a safe and secluded place to eat its meal in peace.
3. The Legs of An Owl are Long Compared to the size of its body
The true size of owls’ legs is often hidden by their wings and thick layers of feathers. This is one reason why it can be such a surprise to see that an owl’s legs can measure up to half the height of its body!
Furthermore, owl legs are skinny and thin to reduce air resistance when flying. Most of the muscle in the bird’s legs is up closer to the body in the thigh. This reduces drag that could slow the owl down.
4. Owl Legs have longer shin bones than thigh bones
Owls have short femurs and long shin bones, the opposite of humans. This can be one reason why owl legs look so strange. It’s a proportion we aren’t used to.
Additionally, what you may think is an owl’s ankle is probably the joint between its toes and midfoot. Owls’ toes can be almost half as long as their thigh bone.
5. Owls have feathers even on their legs
There are many reasons why leg feathers are crucial for owls. Adult owls grow feathers on their legs to retain heat in cold environments and to protect their delicate skin from injury. Some have feathers on their feet as well, while others do not.
Having feathers on