Owls are birds from
the order Strigiformes, which includes over 200 species of
mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified
by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural
hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight.
Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk owl and the gregarious burrowing owl.
Owls
hunt
mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few
species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the
Earth except polar ice caps and some remote islands.
Owls
are divided into two families: the true (or typical) owl family,
Strigidae, and the barn owl family, Tytonidae.
A group of owls is called a parliament.