I just noticed you can see the fringed edges if the flight feather really well here. This is one way the owl's body reduces noise in flight.
Besides having oversized wings to reduce the number of flaps, when they do flap, this edge helps break down the turbulences to quiet them down.
The feathers are also less densely held together with barbs (the individual feather strands) so air can pass through.
I love barn owls
They are really very lovely looking. I haven't seen one in person since I've gotten so much more actively interested in them, so I'd really like to see one up close again now that I have a better appreciation for them.
I just noticed you can see the fringed edges if the flight feather really well here. This is one way the owl's body reduces noise in flight.
Besides having oversized wings to reduce the number of flaps, when they do flap, this edge helps break down the turbulences to quiet them down.
The feathers are also less densely held together with barbs (the individual feather strands) so air can pass through.