True owls (Strigidae) are predatory birds that range in size from the tiny elf owl to the large great horned owl. Most true owls are cryptic in coloration, with a mottled pattern of brown, red, gray and black spots and streaks. This enables these nocturnal hunters to blend into their surroundings during the day.
Diet:
Like most owls, true owls feed on a variety of small animals including mice, voles, rabbits, moles and squirrels. They also feed on other animals such as birds, lizards, frogs, insects and spiders. Barn owls are nocturnal hunters and detect their prey using a combination of sight and sound.
Most owls hunt at night and in doing so avoid competition with daytime avian hunters such as hawks and eagles. Although nocturnal feeding is the norm for most owls, some species do feed occasionally during the day. Still other species feed at dusk or dawn.
Classification:
True owls are one of two species of owls, the other being the barn owls. True owls include about 23 groups of owls and more than 200 species.
