Owls are one of the most fascinating yet misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of owls is their large, round eyes and ability to turn their head all the way around.
What many people don’t know about these birds is how they sleep during daylight hours. Read the full article to know more about how owls sleep.
How Do Owls Sleep?
Owls have unique sleeping habits. Most birds either close their eyes or keep them open when they sleep. However, owls neither close nor open their eyes but rather lock them in place with specialized eyelids!
It is believed that this is so that it can still see to some extent when an owl sleeps. They can still see moving objects and other things that may threaten the owl while it sleeps.
When not sleeping, an owl can open or close both eyes as needed. Owls do not need eyelids to blink; rather, their eyeballs are fixed in place, as mentioned above, and as such, they rarely (if ever) blink at all.
Instead, owls clean their eyes using secretions from the Harderian gland near the nictitating membrane (third eyelid).
The only time an owl will close its eyes is when it needs to sleep. This may occur during daylight hours or at night and is usually determined by whether they hunt during the day or at night.
Owls will roost during the day and sleep at night. However, most owls living in more northern climates tend to roost during the day and hunt at night, as there is less daylight for them to do so.
On the contrary, those owls residing in warmer climates tend to hunt during the day and roost at night as there are generally more daylight hours during which they can be most active.
Most owls will close their eyes; however, some species do not and rather opt to fix them in place as they sleep. This is particularly true for those owls who regularly hunt during the day and may open or close their eyes as needed.
Where Do Owls Sleep?
When owls need to sleep, most will do so in the branches of trees. However, some species may find another shelter for this purpose.
Most owls do not like to sleep on the ground as they are vulnerable to predators when they do so; however, some, like the Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) may be seen on the ground as they lay their eggs.
The nest may be used for sleeping only by the adults of some species and by adults and chicks in others.
Some owls, particularly those that live in dense woodlands, may spend most of their time roosting within tree hollows or even large natural cavities such as caves.
Also Read: How long do owls sleep
How Much Do Owls Usually Sleep?
Owls sleep for varying amounts of time, depending on the species and their activities. Owls that do not hunt at night will generally roost and sleep through most daylight hours, awakening as it gets dark and commencing their hunting once night falls.
Those active owls during the day often need to sleep while it is still light as they cannot easily see their prey and, as such, may sleep for a little bit longer than those owls that hunt at night.
Also Read: How Long Do Owls Sleep
When Does An Owl Sleep?
Most owls will begin to hunt at dusk, so they typically sleep out the day before beginning their hunting routine upon the commencement of nightfall.
Some owls may also hunt throughout the night; thus, these birds will often sleep during daylight hours.
Why Do Owls Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
Owls are different from many other bird species in that they have a very precise eye-lock mechanism. This is why an owl’s eyes do not close during sleep.
One method that enables them to keep their eyes open while sleeping is having a lower metabolic rate than most birds, thus allowing them to go for longer periods without needing to rest.
Owls may also sleep with one eye open if they feel threatened by predators. In this case, the owl will keep its front facing outwards to keep a watchful eye on things going on around it.
Do Owls Sleep Stand Up?
Owls don’t sleep standing up, but rather they do so sitting down. Owls will normally sleep either in the nest or on the branches of trees.
Can Owls See When They’re Sleeping?
Yes! Owls can still see while they are asleep because their eyes are fixed open while resting. A common misconception is that owls only have one good eye.
Where Do Owls Sleep During The Day?
Owls that are diurnal (active during the day) will usually roost inside thick trees or in caves throughout most daylight hours. They will often be seen with their eyes open. However, this is because they are still awake and not truly sleeping.
On the contrary, nocturnal owls will sleep during daylight hours and awaken at dusk when they begin hunting.
Do Owls Sleep Face Down?
Owls don’t sleep on their face down. Some owls will still position themselves so they can see what is happening around them while they are sleeping.
Do Owls Dream?
Yes! Although we’re not entirely sure if owls dream, we know that most birds indeed enjoy this activity. During sleep, an owl will usually still be aware of what is happening around it and may keep its eyes open to remaining alert for any danger.
Do Owls Sleep With On Eye Open?
Some owl species will have one eye open while sleeping to keep a watchful lookout for predators. Other species will close both eyes and not just a single one when resting.
Do Owls Sleep With Their Eyes Closed?
While some owls may sleep with their eyes closed, most tend to keep at least one eye open while resting.
Do Owls Sleep Upside Down?
Although owls can turn their head upside down to an extent, they do not sleep in this position.
The Bottom Line
Owls sleep by rotating their heads a full 180 degrees. This is called “roosting” and allows the owl to keep one eye open at all times without moving its entire body. Roosting may be an adaptation for nighttime hunting, as owls can continue scanning for prey while they rest!
Owls are fascinating creatures with many cool facts to discover. We hope that you have enjoyed learning about these amazing animals and found some fun owl-themed activities for your family as well! If you’re interested in finding out more, let me know in the comment below!
