Differences between Egret and Owl

Egret and Owl are two classes of birds that belong to the Ardeidae and Tytonidae families respectively.

Egrets are birds that symbolise purity and strength. They belong to the species of Herons. These birds have white plumage that were used in earlier times for dress and trade. Egrets differ from other species of Herons by their mating displays and the pure white plumes they develop in the breeding season.

Owl is a large nocturnal bird. It has a round and flat face with hooked beaks, static eyes, and large ears. Its neck is flexible and can turn over 180 degrees on both sides. This allows the bird to look around and backward even with its fixed eyes. The bird cannot see color but its visual clarity is sharp. Its ears are asymmetrical but acute in discerning sounds from different dimensions. Owl is commonly seen standing in upright position. Its plumage is soft and heavy. The color varies for different species, from grey to brown to reddish brown. The plumage mostly have markings on them, camouflaging the owl amidst dense foliage. The fossils of owls are dated back to over 65.5 million years. At present, there are about 250 species in the Owl family.

Where are Egret and Owl found?

Egrets live close to wetlands, be it fresh or salt. You can find them near seas, rivers, marshes, ponds, and thick forests. They were originally found in Europe, Asia, and Africa but have later spread across the world. As they cannot survive colder weather, they are not distributed in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Owls live in diverse habitats such as forests, mountains, plains, and deserts. The Snowy Owl lives in the frigid regions of North Pole. Species like Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl can be found in cities. Owls can be found in all countries of the world except Antarctica.

What do Egret and Owl eat?

Egrets are carnivores that source their feeds generally from water systems. So, their diet mostly includes fish, water insects, frogs, snakes, and crustaceans. However, Egrets sometimes also hunt on land and eat insects, grasshoppers, and rodents.

Owls are carnivorous birds. Their diet depends on food sources in their environment. Owls eat insects, rodents, crabs, snails, small birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Egret and Owl

• Both Egret and Owl eat Fish.
• Both Egret and Owl eat Frogs.
• Both Egret and Owl eat Lizards.
• Both Egret and Owl eat Snakes.
• Both Egret and Owl eat Turtles.
• Both Egret and Owl eat Squirrels.
• Gophers are commonly eaten by Egret, but not by all Owl.
• Baby Ducks are consumed by both Egretand Owl.
• Mice are eaten by both Egret and Owl.

Size of Egret and Owl?

When it comes to size, Egrets are smaller than Herons. They are a little less than three feet tall and have wings that measure 1.3-1.7 metres.. The owls measure 0.4-2.3 feet in length with a wingspan of 1-6.6 feet. Elf Owl, which is the smallest in the family, is about 0.5 feet tall. Blakiston Fish Owl, the largest Owl species, is 2.3 feet tall.

An adult Egret usually weighs 1.1-3.3 pounds. while The weight of Owls varies for different species. Elf Owl weighs about 1.5 ounce, while the large North American Owl weighs about 8.8 pounds.

Where do Egret and Owl nest?

Egrets generally build large and messy nests in their colonies that even consist of birds of other species. The nests are usually constructed on shrubs or lowly trees, typically 10-40 feet from the ground. It is mostly the male egret that establishes the nesting area by creating a nest platform. Both the male and female egrets incubate the eggs for a period of around 24 days.

Owls do not build nests. They use holes in trees, quiet places in barns and buildings, caves, natural cavities in river banks, and nests of other birds to lay their eggs. The female Owl starts incubating the eggs when the first one is laid. She lays eggs two to three days apart. Consequently, the eggs do not hatch synchronously. In the nesting season, the female develops additional feathers, called brood patch, on her belly to provide warmth during incubation. The eggs hatch 32 days after incubation. The young ones fledge when they are six to eight weeks old.

How long do Egret and Owl live?

Lifespan of an Egret is up to 15 years in the wild. The younger ones could face high mortality due to climate, migration, predators, and siblicide. The oldest Great Egret lived for almost 23 years in the state of Ohio.

The average lifespan of Owls in the wild is five to 12 years. Larger Owls may live longer, sometimes up to 25 years. The oldest Owl, which was a female Great Horned Owl, turned 50 years in 2012. She lived in captivity at the San Francisco Zoo.

Are Egret or Owl migratory birds?

Egrets become residents in warmer locations. However, in regions where they cannot withstand the cold, they tend to migrate after the breeding season. Migration usually happens from Europe to Africa and south Asia and from northern parts of the USA to central and southern America.

Not all Owl species are migratory. Some relocate to warmer regions during winters. However, some Owls remain in their territories even in winters. The Great Gray Owl and the Great Horned Owl of Canada are resident species. The Snowy Owl that lives in the North Pole migrates to Canada and USA during winters. In Europe, the Scops Owls migrates to the tip of the Sahara Desert. The Short-Eared Owl is another migratory Owl from India that travels long distances, sometimes even crossing oceans.

Do Egret and Owl fly in flocks?

A group of Egrets is known by different names, such as colony, siege, skewer, wedge, and congregation. Egrets are sociable and hunt in flocks. But they can also remain isolated. They generally gather during sunsets and roost in colonies.

A group of Owls is called a parliament. Owls are extreme loners and prefer solitary existence. They rarely flock aside the breeding season. They sometimes roost in small groups or in pairs for warmth in cold temperatures.

Are Egret or Owl protected?

Governments across the world have taken measures to protect Egrets under wildlife conservation and migratory bird laws. Egrets are protected in various countries like the USA, UK, China, Taiwan, China, Russia, India, and France.

Owls are protected in most countries like the USA, UK, India, Canada, and Japan. They do not enjoy protection in some countries, while in some others only the endangered species are protected.

Are Egret or Owl endangered?

The population of Egrets dwindled to near extinction in the 19th century owing to devious hunting of the birds for their plumes. However, introduction of protection and conservation laws have helped in resurgence of their population. Egrets can now be commonly found in wetlands and coasts across the world. They are not an endangered species.

Some species of Owls are endangered and face threat of extinction. These include Pernambuco Pygmy Owl, Siau Scops Owl, Forest Owl, Moheli Scops Owl, Congo Bay Owl, and Long-Whiskered Owlet. The population of Owls is threatened by loss of habitat, lack of food sources, hunting, and climate change.

Can Egret and Owl fly?

Egrets start flying when they are six to seven weeks old. They are dynamic flyers with an ability to cover 25 miles in an hour. They tuck their neck in and hold their legs freely in flight. They are capable of flying long distances during migration.

Owls are known to fly without making any sound. The comb-like design on the edges of their feathers and their large wings enable them to fly noiselessly. They fly slowly, without flapping their wings too much. Some species of Owls fly at a speed of just two miles an hour, while the faster species can reach 40 miles per hour.

Can Egret and Owl swim?

Egrets are generally wading birds. They rarely swim to catch their preys. Further, they have non-webbed feet that makes swimming difficult for them.

Owls are not natural swimmers. They do not have webbed feet. However, they can manage to swim if they happen to accidentally fall in water.

Mating patterns among Egret and Owl

Egrets acquire heightened beauty during the breeding season – the reason for which bird watchers yearn to catch a glimpse of them during this time. The birds start mating when they are two or three years old. Each breeding season of the year, the male egret selects a nesting area where it builds a nest platform. It then displays its special long white plumes to find a mate for courtship. Egrets generally breed in their colonies and seldom in solitary pairs.

Owls start mating when they are two to three years old. During the mating season, the male and female Owls perform mating dances. They also hoot mating calls that boost their bond and keep away other Owls from their territory. The male may get a prey as offering to the female to woo her. In some species, partners may engage in giggling and snapping of bills as part of mating ritual. The female may lay one to 15 eggs in a breeding season, however not all at once. It is her responsibility to lay eggs, incubate and hatch them. Once the chicks are born, the male may fetch food for them and give it to the female.

When is the mating season for Egret and Owl ?

The mating season for Egrets is usually October-December in the southern hemisphere and March-May in the northern hemisphere. They breed only once a year.

The mating season for Owls is generally spring every year. However, some species mate during winter months.

Do Egret and Owl mate for life?

Egrets are monogamous during each breeding season. However, they may not stay with the same partner every year. They are known to have multiple partners in their lifetime.

Owls are devoted partners. They mate for life. They also use the same nesting site year after year.

How do Egret and Owl sleep?

Egrets sleep at night while standing on one foot in water to sense vibrations from predators. They keep their heads retracted under a wing. They generally roost in flocks to stay safe from attacks.

Owls are nocturnal birds. They sleep either on trees or on the ground while standing and keeping their eyes closed. Most species are awake during the night when they hunt. They mostly sleep during the day.

Can Egret and Owl be eaten?

Egrets used to be eaten in earlier times in some parts of Africa. However, they no longer can be hunted for their meat. It is illegal and will invite hefty fines.

Humans are not known to have consumed Owls. The birds do not have much meat on them. Their taste is known to be unpalatable.

Can you hunt Egret or Owl?

Egrets were hunted ruthlessly until late 19th century for their plumes. This led to their near extinction. Nevertheless, new anti-hunting, conservation, and migratory laws adopted across the world have saved the species. Egrets are widespread and a common sight now.

Owls are typically not hunted. Only in cases when they cause trouble, people hunt them or capture them and release them in the wild. Hunting or harming Owls is not allowed in many countries.

Can you feed Egret or Owl?

Feeding wild animals and birds in public places is not permitted in places like USA, Singapore, and Dubai. In captivity, Egrets can be fed with fish, eggs, insects, earthworms, and meat.

Most countries do not permit owning or feeding of Owls. In captivity, the birds are fed rodents, chicken, meat, and worms.