Owl Be Honest—This Science Adventure Was a Hoot!

This weekend I had an owl-amazing experience at the 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.

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 the Screech Owl

Turnip is a tiny Eastern Screech Owl, standing at only about 8 inches tall — that’s shorter than a pencil! Screech owls like Turnip have yellow eyes, which scientists say usually means they are crepuscular — 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 the Barred Owl.

Sven is a Barred Owl, known for his haunting hoots that sound like he’s asking, “Who cooks for you?” I got to help lift his wing — and here’s where it gets SCIENCE-Y! Under a black light, the underside of his wing glowed bright pink, thanks to special porphyrin proteins in the feathers. These proteins are part of how scientists can 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 humans 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. Diego the Kestrel

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 the European Barn Owl

Nebula might be 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.

Here’s the science shocker: European Barn Owls (like Nebula) aren’t a separate species — they’re 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 actually use DNA barcoding to figure out exactly what an owl ate! 🧬

DNA barcoding works kind of like scanning a barcode at a store — but 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. 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.

💀 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.. It’s packed with fun games, videos, and stories all about wildlife — and their owl content is a real hoot!

Until next time — keep your eyes wide and your curiosity wild!

Next
Next

Genes & Guts: My Science Adventure with GLP-1