This is Bird Note.

Oon, OOO, OOOO

19 owls. That's how many species call the U.S. and Canada home.

And while some, like this great horned owl, do go hoot in the night. The natural diversity of our 19 defy stereotypes.

North America's owls range in size from the four-pound snowy owl, which stands more than two feet tall,

to the diminutive elf owl of the southwestern deserts, who weighs less than two ounces.

The spotted owl inhabits deep, dark, old-growth forests.

While the flamulated owl prefers open pine woods.

And the short-eared owl floats over wide-open grasslands.

All owls are carnivores, but their diets range from mammals the size of jackrabbits

to insects like moths and crickets.

Boreal owls hunt in total darkness, using only their hearing.

Northern hawk owls hunt by sight in broad daylight.

A few migrate with the seasons. Others remain on their territories year-round.

19 owls, 19 distinctive natural histories. You can learn more about all of them at our website,

birdnote.org. I'm Michael Stein.