Your hike in the woods ran a little late,
and suddenly it's pitch dark.
You can't see much,
except for a pair of round,
yellow lights.
But they have started to move.
It's an owl.
And it looks angry
that you're in its territory.
Owls are hunters,
and they carry that title with honor.
They prepare to hunt.
Their ritual includes stretching and preening,
and they clean their feathers
and talons before leaving to hunt.
Owls are meat-eating creatures.
They also have excellent low-light vision,
so they can see you,
even if you can't spot them.
And they have great hearing.
There are many owl species,
and one of the most dangerous
is the great horned owl.
They have distinct feather tufts
on their heads called plumicorns.
And they're known for attacking hikers.
Great horned owls can reach up
to 1.5 m (5 ft) across
when they spread their wings.
The force of their talons
is equal to a big dog's bite.
And they can carry prey
that’s three times their size.
When owls locate their prey,
they’ll attack from the air
after perching in a tree
and waiting for the right moment.
They have specific features
that allow them to glide silently
through the air.
Their feathers have serrated edges,
like a comb.
It helps them reduce the turbulence created
as the air rushes
over the wings when they fly.
Also, their velvety feathers
absorb the sounds of turbulence.
This makes them great hunters,
and it's hard to hear them.
But since they don't eat humans,
they'll let you know
they don't want you there with sounds.
They’ll try to scare you away
with hissing,
a cat-like sound,
or by clicking their bills.
Some objects
that you might put on your head
can make owls think you are prey,
including headphones,
a flashy hat,
or wearing your hair in a ponytail.
If your headgear moves like prey,
an owl is more likely to attack you.
In 2019,
a man in British Columbia, Canada,
was hiking when an owl stole his cap.
The owl took the hat to a tree branch
and kept staring at the man.
He shook the tree
until the owl let the hat go.
Then the owl attacked the man
until he ran away.
If you plan to hike
in an area where there are owls,
it's best to be prepared.
Carry a stick with a piece of fabric
or an umbrella.
If an attack occurs,
place the umbrella over your head.
The owl may target that
and leave your head alone.
Run away from the bird's territory
as fast as you can.
Baby owls leave their nests
before they can fly.
Sometimes they lie on the ground.
So if you see a cute,
fluffy little ball on the ground,
don’t go near it.
It is not an abandoned owl.
The parent is likely watching closely.
So it is best to leave the baby alone,
as owls are very protective of their young.
If you come in contact with an owl,
do your best to listen
and understand its signs
of aggression
so you can avoid an attack.
But if an attack happens,
don’t kill the owl,
even if you get injured in the attack.
They are protected birds.
And you can get a hefty fine,
or spend up to six months in jail,
according to the 1981
Wildfire and Countryside Act,
which protects owls,
their nests and owl eggs.
You followed the steps and survived
an owl attack without killing it.
Good job.
But speaking of birds,
could you survive an attack
by a bird whose legs are strong
enough to kill a lion?
Find out,
here
on How to Survive.