The Prairie Owl  This content is archived  Published on: Feb. 2,
2003  Last revision: Nov. 12, 2010  hunting grounds with short-
eared owls and are equally skilled at hunting. These two birds
of prey compete directly for territory and food. Harriers will
frequently harass short-ears, forcing the owls to drop the prey
they catch.  The flight of short-ears appears buoyant and
effortless due in large part to their long and graceful wings.
With a wingspan of up to three and one half feet and a weight of
a mere one-half to one pound, short-eared owls have what
ornithologists call favorable "wing loading." This means lots of
wing surface giving lift to a relatively small body, allowing
the owls to fly and hunt for long periods at a time while using
relatively little energy.Thanks to specially modified feathers,
owls are capable of silent flight. The leading edges of flight
feathers have an irregular or jagged edge which decreases
turbulence and muffles the sound of air rushing over the wings
during flight. This is n