What is Tyto or Owl?
Classification:
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Genus: Tyto
Habitat: It is an arboreal bird, found all over the world. It is commonly called barn owl.Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance,An owl is a bird with a flat face, large eyes, and a small sharp beak. Most owls obtain their food by hunting small animals at night. 2. See also night owl.
Habits :
(i) It shows nocturnal activity.
(ii) It flies without noise due to fluffy plumage.
(iii) It is a carnivorous bird and feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, insects etc. Prey is swallowed entire. Indigestible food is gurgitated as pellets. It has binocular vision. Hence, it is called nocturnal bird of prey.
(iv) Sexes are unisexual but don’t show sexual dimorphism. Fertilization is internal. Female is oviparous
and breeds from November to April. Development is direct.
External characters:
(i) Body is divisible into head, neck, trunk and tail.
(ii) Head is rounded and bears two forwardly directed eyes, sharp curved beak and well developed
collar of feathers.
(iii) Trunk bears one pair of powerful fore wings and one pair of stout legs with clawed toes Plumage
is fluffy.
(iv) Tail bears tail feathers.
Economic importance: It is a useful bird as eats rats, mice etc, which damage our crops.
