From Birds and Blooms · Ken Keffer · · 1m 10s
Owls Sleep When?
Some owls hunt during the day, others at dawn and dusk, and all sleep differently.
In brief
Some owls hunt during the day, others at dawn and dusk, and all sleep differently. Snowy owls and burrowing owls are diurnal; barred owls and short-eared owls are crepuscular; all owls sleep with one eye open. Originally reported by Birds and Blooms.
Daylight Diners
Snowy owls hunt during daylight hours in arctic summer with no nightfall.
Northern Hawk Owls
Northern hawk owls hunt by sight up to half a mile away during the day.
Burrowing Owls
Burrowing owls are mostly diurnal and retreat to burrows during hot parts of the day.
Northern Pygmy-Owls
Northern pygmy-owls hunt songbirds two to three times larger than themselves.
Low Light Fliers
Short-eared owls hunt small mammals at dawn and dusk in open meadows.
Great Gray Owls
Great gray owls hunt during sunrise and sunset but extend activity to day and night.
Barred Owls
Barred owls sing 'who cooks for you' during late afternoon and early evening.
Owl Sleep Patterns
Owls sleep with one eye open and talons locked to prevent falling from perches.
What matters most
Snowy owls and burrowing owls are diurnal; barred owls and short-eared owls are crepuscular; all owls sleep with one eye open.
