Owls – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Research suggests that only about 1,000 to 1,500 Príncipe scops owls exist in the wild. Martim Melo

February 27, 2023

Biologists discovered a new species of tiny owl on the forested island of Príncipe, and it’s already under threat – podcast

Daniel Merino, The Conversation

A local legend of a mysterious bird with big eyes grew into the discovery of the Príncipe scops owl. A biologist on the team tells the story of finding and cataloging this new species.

Many of humanity’s innovations have taken inspiration from the natural world. Alessandro De Maddalena/Shutterstock

December 30, 2022

Five human technologies inspired by nature – from velcro to racing cars

Amin Al-Habaibeh, Nottingham Trent University

Humans often look to nature for the solutions to complex problems – here are five times where biological processes have inspired innovation.

‘Otus bikegila’, the new species of owl discovered in Central Africa. Martim Melo

November 24, 2022

We discovered a new species of owl – but we already think it’s in danger

Bárbara Freitas, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC); Angelica Crottini, Universidade do Porto, and Martim Melo, Universidade do Porto

At the beginning there was an unknown noise… Decades later, we discovered a new species of owl.

February 28, 2021

Look up! A powerful owl could be sleeping in your backyard after a night surveying kilometres of territory

Nick Bradsworth, Deakin University; John White, Deakin University, and Raylene Cooke, Deakin University

Researchers strapped tracking devices to 20 powerful owls in Melbourne and learned these apex predators are increasingly choosing to sleep in urban areas, from backyard trees to golf courses.

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly sideways and backwards, thanks to an evolutionary feature of their musculoskeletal structure. (Shutterstock)

May 11, 2020

How the wings of owls and hummingbirds inspire drones, wind turbines and other technology

Ilias Berberi, Carleton University

Studying bird evolution has led to engineering innovations, including drones that can fly sideways and backwards, and silent wind turbines.

March 23, 2020

Urban owls are losing their homes. So we’re 3D printing them new ones

Dan Parker, The University of Melbourne; Bronwyn Isaac, Monash University; Kylie Soanes, The University of Melbourne; Nick Bradsworth, Deakin University; Stanislav Roudavski, The University of Melbourne, and Therésa Jones, The University of Melbourne

Powerful owls need old, hollowed-out trees to nest in, but humans keep chopping them down. Now, designers have partnered up with ecologists to build them high tech artificial nests.

September 2, 2019

Barn owls reflect moonlight in order to stun their prey

Almut Kelber, Lund University; Alexandre Roulin, Université de Lausanne, and Luis Martín San José García, Université de Lausanne

Scientists have discovered how the wise old barn owl is so good at catching rodents.

August 31, 2018

Curious Kids: how do birds see where they’re going?

Hazel Jackson, University of Kent

Not all birds have eyes on the sides of their heads – but even those that do can see straight in front of them.

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