One of the most beautiful birds - Owls

In my opinion Owls are one of the most beautiful birds out there. But because they are nocturnal birds it is pretty difficult to get some decent pictures of them. Only if you are able to find a tree where they sleep in you will be albe to take some pictures of them. During the day they sleep or just sit on a branch in the trees, most of the owls only hunt at night because they have a very good advantage over their prey at night. They have a very good night vision that allows them to hunt prey like mice, small birds, fish, snakes, snails or worms.

Because Owls are very territorial you just need to find some trees with them, and you might probably see them next time at the same spot. I actually know already some places where I can find them. One is about half an hour with the car away from my home and another one is about 3 hours drive from my homeplace.

Owl sitting on the branches of a tree and waiting for the night. Picture: Florian Glechner.

This particular bird lives in the eastern part of Lower Austria, and I am already looking forward visiting this place once again because there are also some very interesting smaller birds in the same regions that I want to photograph. Owls either hide on trees between the branches and leaves or they find another hiding place in the reed like this one. Their feather color helps them to be invisible to the most predators and also humans. Another pretty cool fact is that the owls have special feathers that make them noiseless when they fly. Perfect when hunting for prey in the night.

Owl hiding in the green reed. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Unfortunately Owls are pretty seldom here in Austria and also in Germany. So all Owls are protected and there are several actions to further protect this species here. I read that most of the Owls die due to Power Lines here in Austria and Germany, but the biggest factor that shrinks the population of the Owls is the destruction of their habitat. Owls need old trees and forrest that are not touched by human intervention. They also need prey like mice and other small animals like snakes or snails. This kind of prey they find best in untouchted forrests.

Beautiful Owl. Picture: Flroian Glechner.

Nice closup picture of the owl. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Hiding in the branches and leaves it is difficult to spot them. Picture: Florian Glechner.

It is carefully watching me. Pictuere: Florian Glechner.