Owls are nocturnal birds, meaning they spend the daytime sleeping and are active at night. They go out to hunt at night.

People usually ask this question that are owls dangerous? The thing is, these birds can become aggressive if someone tries to touch their babies or if they feel threatened.

Owls are among the most fascinating and mysterious birds in the World. Others claim they are signs of bad luck, while others claim they are a symbol of knowledge and wisdom.

However, another group believes that owls could be dangerous due to their appearance and how they glare at you.

Owls are known for being fearsome hunters and dangerous predators. The Barred Owl and the great-horned Owl are among the most dangerous birds in the World.

If you’re looking for the answer to the question: Are owls dangerous? You have to read this article till the end to find out more about owls

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What are Owls?

Owls are species of birds from the order Strigiformes that are mainly nocturnal raptors. They have big eyes, curved beaks, and nocturnal hooting.

There are 200 different species of owls, ranging in size from the six-inches-tall elf owl to the two- feet-tall great horned Owl with a wingspan of six-and-a-half feet.

Owls hunt at night by swooping down and catching rodents with the help of the large, sharp claws on their feet. Larger owls can hunt birds, frogs, mice, small rabbits, foxes, fish, and snakes, while smaller owls may eat mostly insects.

They are found in all regions of the World except the polar ice caps and some remote islands. Owls are classified into two families: the barn-owl family, Tytonidae, and the actual (or typical) owl family, Strigidae.

That being said, let’s now discuss the answer to the question: Are owls dangerous?

Are Owls Dangerous?

Yes, owls are very dangerous as they possess sharp claws, which have the power to cause severe injuries to both people and pets. Owls become very aggressive when their territory is in danger or when defending their babies.

They are wild birds, and there have been numerous cases of owls injuring pets, hikers, and bystanders without being previously provoked.

Reasons Why  Owls Are Dangerous:

• They are one of the species of birds that fly silently. It is even more challenging to notice them due to their stealthiness.

• They fly at high speed and can close in on their prey which might be larger than they are.

• They have strong claws, which they use to resist great pressure and grab heavy prey.

• They can see their prey from a distance of more than a mile away; in addition to having a neck that can rotate approximately 360 degrees,

Which Species Of Owl Are Most Likely To Attack Humans?

1. Great Horned Owls

Most people call the Great Horned Owl the tiger of the sky because they are ferocious hunters that are not selective with what they eat. They prefer to live close to cities, where there are more people. It has sharp claws and can carry four times its weight.

You can find the Great Horned Owl all over the United States, and while attacks are rare, they can happen, and numerous news articles document the attacks.

2. Snowy Owls

The snowy Owl is a big bird that can reach a height of more than 18 inches, so it can be highly frightful when attacking.

You can only find it in Maine and the extreme northern regions of the United States, so it’s no danger to most Americans. It is the heaviest and longest-winged Owl in North America and one of the largest bird predators in the World.

They are active both during the day and at night and rarely attack people unless they approach their nesting site, as they are highly territorial.

3. Barred Owls

Another of the most aggressive owl species is the barred Owl, which you can only find in a few spots in the northwest and eastern parts of the United States. Some people refer to these birds as Striped Owls.

However attacks on people are rare, but the Barred Owl is a suspect in one homicide that might have sent the wrong man to jail. They prefer to live in mature forests where they hunt birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

How to Avoid Owl Attacks?

You can do several things to protect yourself from owl attacks and reduce the risk of owls harming you, your dogs, and even your kids. Owls warn you of their impending attack by hissing, hooting, or clicking their bills.

• The first thing you should do is avoid an angry owl. You should retreat if an angry owl is warning you.

• Make loud sounds and noises. Clap or shout to scare away owls if you spot one lurking around.

• Keep any owl food out of your yard: Clear areas where rats and reptiles can hide. Remove bird feed and any overgrown trees, bushes, or shrubs.

• Install lights for nighttime: Owls are nocturnal creatures, and a lot of light will deter them from hunting inside your home.

• If you know there are dangerous owls in your area, carry an umbrella. Owls usually target the tallest parts, so holding an umbrella over your head can be helpful.

• The use of scare tapes can scare away owls. Install globe mirrors to trick the owls into believing their reflections are other owls, which makes them flee to avoid competition. Also, you can use scarecrows.

• Install owl-proof nets on dog cages because once owls realize they must break through a catch to reach their prey, they will go away.

FAQs

Why Do People Fear Owls?

People are afraid of owls, especially at night, and a  view of the shadow of this nocturnal bird might frighten a person away because these birds are hazardous and scary when illuminated by a torch or other light sources at night. These birds symbolize wisdom, supernatural powers, intuition, attentive listening, and independent thinking.

These mysterious creatures were referred to as a symbol of death and destruction for a long time, dating back to ancient history. There are numerous myths and beliefs about this nocturnal bird. However, these birds can sometimes be dangerous and attack if they perceive any threat.

How Do You Know If An Owl Is Dangerous

Owls are dangerous birds; you can identify them by watching their behavior and physical characteristics. Most owls rarely attack humans unless they perceive a threat from them or if they are angry or aggressive toward them. Be careful and safe if you encounter an owl, especially when hiking or in a woodland. You could get into trouble if you try to go near an owl or its nest.

What Owl Species Are The Most Dangerous?

The most dangerous owl species is the great horned Owl, — also known as the “tiger of the sky.” The great horned Owl has a wingspan of about 6 feet and a sturdy grip that allows it to kill prey that is bigger than it. Great horned owls will attack humans, cats, dogs, and other predators without hesitation if their nest is in danger.

What Do Owls Feed On?

Some owl species are large enough to attack small animals, but if dogs and other animals are kept outside without shelter, they will attack them, although it’s rare. These owls also prey on other animals, such as skunks, snakes, geese, scorpions, ducks, opossums, mice, rats, insects, squirrels, lizards, and frogs.

Conclusion

So, “are owls dangerous?” Yes, owls are dangerous, but they hardly attack someone unless they perceive a threat to their young ones or territory.

If they feel threatened in any way, they can become furious and attack people or animals, even killing them by striking them on the head and face with their sharp claws.

However, not all species of Owl are dangerous, but some with high-profile attacks can be dangerous.