The earth is filled with fascinating creatures that add their own charm to the world. One such fascinating creature is the “Owl”, which I like to call the Mystical Creature. Like all birds, this mystical creature also has different kinds and species and if you’re an owl enthusiast like me, you’d like to identify them all.
In this blog, we’ve come up with an ultimate Owl feather identification chart to help you learn all about types of owl feathers and how to identify them. You’ll be also getting unique feather details of different owl species helping you to identify them just by looking at them!
So, if you want to become an Owl Identification Expert, keep on reading cause we’re about to get real!
Table of Contents
Types of Owl Feathers
Owls have two types of feathers. The first type includes those feathers common to all birds while the other type is especially unique to owls and some other birds.
Flight feathers, down feathers, contour feathers, bristles feathers, semiplumes, and filoplumes are found in all kinds of birds. So, it’s safe to say that these feathers play an important role in the ecosystem.
The second kind of owl feathers include Facial Disc Feathers and Ear Tufts. These feathers from a disc around the owls’ eyes and beaks. However, this is not true for all owls. These feathers are not prominent in most owls except for the Barn Owl which has a noticeable heart-shaped disc.
| Types of Owl Feathers | Distinctive Features |
|---|---|
| Flight Feathers | Provide flight, have an asymmetrical structure with serrated edges that aid in silent flight |
| Down Feathers | Fluffy and soft feathers, found close to the skin, provide the main insulation, usually less in quantity |
| Contour Feathers | Larger and structured feathers, protect owls from light and environment and contribute to their shape |
| Bristle Feathers | Stiff feathers around the beak and eyes, help in capturing prey and protect eyes. |
| Semiplumes | Intermediate between down and contour feathers, provide insulation and aerodynamics |
| Filoplumes | Hairlike feathers with sensory functions, aid in detecting movement and vibrations |
| Facial Disc Feathers | Stiff feathers around the face, arranged in circular or semi-circular patterns, hide the ears and enhance hearing abilities |
| Ear Tufts | Feather tufts at the top of the head, for camouflage or communication purposes, do not aid in hearing |
Owl Feather Colors
As owl feathers have different kinds, they also have different colors. The feather colors can be white, brown, black, gray, yellow and can also have reddish tones.
The habitat in which an owl lives significantly impacts their feather colors. This is because they play an important role in camouflage.
Owls living in warmer habitats tend to have darker-colored feathers. Whereas, gray, white, and pale-colored feathers are seen in owls from relatively colder habitats. For instance, the snowy owl has white feathers that help it blend in with its snow-covered surroundings.
Did you know that some owls and other bird feathers are completely white even though they live in warmer habitats? This happens due to a condition called Albinism.
It decreases melanin, a substance responsible for pigmentation in the body. However, it is not a common occurrence and has only been recorded in 13 of the nearly 250 owl species!
Also read: Owl Egg Identification Chart
How to Identify Owl Feathers?
There are about 250 species of owls all around the world. These species live in different kinds of habitats. As these habitats are different, the owls naturally possess the same but somewhat distinct features that help them adapt to their respective habitats.
These distinct features, mainly the feathers, become the basis on which we can identify owl species. Their patterns and colors are designed in a way that aids camouflage. Owls in forests or mountainous habitats tend to have more brown, black, and grayish feathers.
Here’s a list of owl species along with their feathers that’ll help you differentiate among them!
| Owl Species | Facial Disc. Feathers | Flight Feathers | Contour Feathers | Down Feathers | Ear Tufts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barn Owl | Prominent facial disc with heart-shaped face | Silent flight due to specialized wing feathers | Mottled brown and white for camouflage | Soft and fluffy for insulation | Do not have ear tufts |
| Barred Owl | Defined facial disc with dark eyespots | Sturdy wings for maneuvering through wooded areas | Brown with horizontal barring, blending with tree bark | Dense and insulating, aiding in thermoregulation | Short tufts, often difficult to see |
| Great Horned Owl | Pronounced facial disc with distinct feather arrangement | Large and powerful, allowing for silent flight | Mottled brown and gray for camouflage | Dense and warm, providing insulation | Prominent ear tufts at the top of the head |
| Long-eared Owl | Pronounced facial disc with scattered feathers | Long and narrow wings for agile flight | Brown with streaks and bars, blending with tree branches | Soft and dense, providing warmth in cold climates | Prominent ear tufts, often held close together |
| Screech Owl | Facial disc less distinct, smaller in size | Compact wings for swift flight in wooded areas | Gray with intricate patterns, providing camouflage | Fluffy and warm, essential for surviving cold nights | Short tufts, sometimes barely visible |
| Snowy Owl | White feathers surrounding the face | Large and broad, suited for Arctic flight | White with black barring, providing camouflage in snowy areas | Thick and insulating, essential for surviving cold climates | Small and barely visible, often hidden in feathers |
| Eurasian Owl | Less prominent facial disc | Large and powerful for hunting larger prey | Rusty-brown with darker markings, blending with surroundings | Thick and plush, providing warmth in colder regions | Prominent tufts resembling horns |
| Northern Saw-whet | Whitish facial disc | Smaller and agile for hunting in dense forests | Rusty-brown with white spots, providing camouflage | Soft and fluffy for warmth | Do not have ear tufts |
Difference between Owl Feather and Hawk Feather
First of all, let’s get rid of the confusion. Hawks and Owls are not related and belong to different families. People often get confused due to high resemblance of their size, beaks, sharp talons and not to mention the most confusing factor: their Feathers.
Although their feathers look pretty much similar due to their colors and patterns, they are different and serve different purposes on both birds.
| Hawk Feathers | Owl Feathers |
|---|---|
| Diurnal (active during the day) | Nocturnal (active during the night) |
| Facial disc is generally absent | Facial disc is present in many species and aids in hearing |
| Non-serrated edges on flight feathers | Serrated edges on flight feathers for silent flight |
| Often have earth tones to aid in daytime camouflage | Often have cryptic or mottled tones to aid in nighttime camouflage |
| Smooth and structured | Soft and fluffy |
Are Owl Feathers Fluffy?
When you look at an owl you’ll probably notice how soft and fluffy it is. But do they only look the part or are they really fluffy? The answer is Yes and No. Owls have both fluffy and non-fluffy feathers.
Down feathers are fluffy feathers found close to the skin of owls, mainly around the chest and belly areas. Their fluffiness helps in providing insulation to owls and regulating their body temperatures. Whereas, the other feathers, including contour and flight feathers are not fluffy and serve other functions.
Conclusion
If you’ve read this far, Congratulations! You now have the knowledge about all kinds of owl feathers & how to identify and differentiate between different owl species! When you go owl-watching or happen to find a feather on one of your nature walks, you can consult the Owl feather identification chart.
This will help you to know what kind of owl was in the same space as you before. State these facts, the wide-eyed look on your friends’ will make you thank yourself for reading our blog!