🦉Owl Be Honest—This Science AdVenture Was a Hoot!
This weekend I had an owl-amazing experience at the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center during their special Halloween event, Owl-een, and yes, it was just as awesome as it sounds. The stars of the show were four incredible birds of prey brought in by the amazing team at Sweetbriar Nature Center, a wildlife rescue and education center on Long Island dedicated to caring for injured animals and teaching people about the natural world.
🦉MEETING THE OWLS
Not only did I meet these feathered VIPs, but I also got to uncover the science behind eyesight, feathers, and even owl puke (a.k.a. owl pellets). Here's a look at the owls I met and the fascinating facts I learned along the way.
#1. Turnip, a tiny Eastern Screech Owl, stands at only about 8 inches tall — that’s shorter than a pencil! Screech owls like Turnip have yellow eyes. Scientists say yellow eyes usually mean the owl is crepuscular, which means it’s most active at dawn and dusk. 🥳 Fun Fact: the word crepuscular comes from the Latin crepusculum, meaning "twilight"! Turnip had a rough start to life after falling out of his nest twice, but now he’s an educational ambassador. Did you know screech owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees? That’s nearly three-quarters of a full circle — way more than any human can manage!
#2. Sven, a Barred Owl, is known for his haunting hoots. And speaking of spooky, when I examined the underside of his wing using a black light, it glowed bright pink, thanks to special porphyrin proteins in the feathers. These proteins help scientists estimate an owl’s age, because older feathers glow less intensely. Sven was rescued after a car accident injured his wing, but now he helps scientists learn about owl biology. Another 🥳cool fact? Barred owls have super soft feathers that help them fly silently, an adaptation that makes them excellent stealth hunters.
#3. Okay, Diego isn't technically an owl — he’s an American Kestrel, which is a type of falcon (aka one of the smallest raptors in North America). We learned that if a bird’s wings aren’t crossed properly, it can’t fly! That’s because wing shape and structure are crucial for creating lift and controlling direction in the air. 🥳Even cooler? Kestrels can see ultraviolet light, which helps them track the urine trails of small rodents. Imagine having “super sight” like that!
#4. Nebula might have been my favorite. She’s a European Barn Owl with galaxy-level style. She’s called Nebula because of the star-like spots on her feathers, which usually only male barn owls have. These spots aren’t just pretty — they actually play a role in mating displays and camouflage. 🥳 Fun Fact: European Barn Owls, like Nebula, aren’t a separate species but a subspecies of the barn owl. And unlike ducks or penguins, barn owls aren’t waterproof. That’s why you’ll rarely see them flying in the rain!
🔬 How Scientists Use DNA to Study Owl Pellets
Before we jump into the “ewww” part of Owl-een, let’s talk about something seriously awesome: you can use 🧬 DNA barcoding 🧬to figure out exactly what an owl ate! DNA barcoding is like scanning a barcode at a store. Instead of prices, scientists use short pieces of DNA to identify species. Even if the bones and fur in an owl pellet are too chewed up to recognize, scientists can pull out tiny samples, extract the DNA, and match it to a huge database to find out which animals the owl had for dinner. Can anyone say 🧠mind-blowing?? That’s how researchers track food webs and learn how owls help balance ecosystems!
🧬 Owl Genomics: Owl Brains, Vision & Superpowers
Owls aren’t just cool on the outside — their DNA is packed with superpowers. Scientists studying owl genomes have discovered special genes that help them:
See in super low light thanks to ultra-sensitive photoreceptors in their eyes
Hunt silently with specially shaped feathers (yes, it’s genetic!)
Turn their heads nearly all the way around thanks to a flexible skeleton and strong neck muscles encoded in their DNA
And get this, researchers have even found differences between nocturnal owl species and diurnal (daytime) birds in the parts of the genome related to hearing and vision. Basically, their DNA has evolved to make them night-hunting 🥷ninjas.
đź’© The Gross-but-Cool Part: Owl Pellets
After learning about owl genomics and DNA detective work, things got delightfully gross. We dissected owl pellets, which are regurgitated bundles of bones, fur, and feathers from the owl’s prey. Think of it like nature’s version of a forensic mystery kit. Inside my pellet, I found four animal skulls — and get this: their teeth were bright orange, thanks to iron in the enamel that strengthens their bite. I also found teeny tiny ribs and leg bones. Scientists (and students like me!) use these pellets to study what owls eat and learn more about local ecosystems.
That’s it for this bone-rattling adventure! I learned so much cool science while having a total blast. If you want to keep your curiosity flying high, check out even more amazing owl facts and activities at Ranger Rick Jr.. Until next time — keep your eyes wide and your curiosity wild!
If you like science and want to try real experiments, check out Saturday DNA! Sessionsat the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center, where you can explore DNA, solve science mysteries, and work in a real lab just like a scientist.🧬🔬
This blog is based on my experience in CSHL Saturday DNA! Session: Owl-ween on October 19, 2024.
