Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes , which includes about 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth except Antarctica and some remote islands. Owls are divided into two families: the Strigidae family of true (or typical owl); and the Tytonidae family of barn owl. Owls possess large, forward-facing eyes and ear-holes, ahawk-like beak, a flat face, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers, a facial disc, around each eye. Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as 270°. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae compared to seven in humans, which makes their necks more flexible. Most owls share an inna...