02 Apr Do Owls Have Whiskers? Discovering Their Hidden Sensory Powers
There’s something that really stops you in your tracks when you meet Ripley, our spectacled owl. You might notice her soft, hoarse hoots or the calm way she just hangs out—but if you take a closer look, you’ll see tiny feathers around her beak. And they look a lot like whiskers!
These are known as rictal bristles, and they’re one of those fascinating adaptations that nature gives to birds. In Ripley’s case, these modified contour feathers work a bit like the whiskers on a cat. They’re highly sensitive, helping her detect food in low light and navigate the tight, complex spaces of her habitat. Scientists believe they even help with collision avoidance. It’s one of those “aha” moments that makes you appreciate just how different bird senses are from ours.
Owls, like Ripley, grow up in environments where every moment counts. They have to fledge fast to escape predators, and having extra sensory input is critical. In the dense, dim conditions of their native rainforests, these bristles provide that extra layer of awareness. When people meet owls up close for the first time, they often remark how catlike they are. We often joke that an owl has bird hardware with cat software.
And here’s the thing: Ripley isn’t just any owl. She’s one of our most chill birds. Whether she’s sitting calmly on a guest’s glove or perched quietly in the sun, her presence reminds us to slow down and really take in the details of nature. We call it being on “Owl Time.”
If you’re curious to experience these incredible adaptations up close, come visit us at the Avian Behavior Conservancy and take one of our falconry classes with our owls. You might just find yourself enchanted by Ripley’s quiet charm and those mysterious “whiskers.”