Owls are fascinating birds that have captured people’s imaginations for centuries. One question that often comes up is whether these majestic birds of prey can swim in water. The short answer is that most owls cannot swim at all, while a few species can float and paddle for short distances if needed. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at owls’ anatomy, feathers, and hunting behaviors to understand why most of these birds avoid water and are not built for swimming. We’ll also highlight the exceptions and look at owls that can propel themselves across water when necessary. By the end, you’ll have a clear answer to the question “Can owls swim?”
Owl Anatomy and Feathers
To understand why most owls cannot swim, we need to look at their physical adaptations and anatomy. Owls have bodies that are optimized for silent flight and hunting prey on land or in trees.
Lightweight Skeletons
Most owls have lightweight, hollow bones which maximize their ability to fly and carry prey. But this skeletal adaptation means their bones are not dense enough to counteract the buoyancy of water. An owl’s lightweight skeleton causes them to float on the surface rather than being able to propel themselves underwater.
Large Wings
Owls have proportionally massive wings compared to their body size. Long, broad wings enable owls to generate lift and fly almost silently. But when in water, an owl’s huge wings become deadweight that makes swimming difficult. The large surface area causes significant drag and prevents smooth movement through water.
Lack of Webbing Between Toes
Those birds that are able to swim well, like ducks and geese, have webbing between their toes. This webbing provides surface area to propel the bird forward in water. Owls lack this webbing. Their talons are designed for catching and gripping prey, not for paddling. The lack of webbed feet prevents most owls from swimming.
Dense, Water-Repellant Plumage
Finally, an owl’s feathers also do not lend themselves to swimming. Owl plumage is dense and coated with oils that repel water, keeping the birds dry and warm. But if an owl lands in water, its water-resistant feathers become waterlogged. This negates any air trapped within the plumage that could have provided buoyancy. Weighed down by soaked feathers, most owls will sink and drown if they cannot get to dry land quickly.
Owl Hunting and Behavior
In addition to their physical characteristics, owls’ typical habitats and hunting behaviors reinforce why most species are not adapted for swimming.
Forest and Grassland Dwellers
Most owls tend to live in dry, terrestrial habitats like forests, grasslands, and deserts where they hunt from perches. They do not naturally encounter bodies of water in their habitats or hunting grounds, so they have not evolved adaptations for swimming.
Nocturnal Hunters
Owls that hunt at night rely on sound to locate prey in the darkness. Plunging into water would dampen an owl’s ability to hear well enough to hunt successfully. Nighttime owls avoid getting their plumage wet which would impact their hunting abilities.
Ambush Predators
Rather than chasing prey for long distances, owls are ambush predators. They use stealth and patience, perching while waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander within striking distance. There is no need for most owls to enter water in pursuit of food on land. Their skills are best suited for ambushing prey in dry areas.
Exceptions – Owls That Can Swim
While a great majority of the world’s 200-300 owl species are unable to swim at all, there are a few exceptions. These owls have adaptations that allow them to propel themselves across water when necessary.
Fishing Owls
Owls known to fish in water include fishing owls like the Asian fishing owl and the African fishing owl. These owls have extra oil glands that coat their feathers, helping repel water while fishing. They have strong grasping talons but relatively reduced feathering on their feet, improving their ability to catch slippery fish. And since they regularly hunt near water, fishing owls are more willing to propel themselves on the water’s surface in pursuit of food.
Snowy Owls
Snowy owls that breed in the far northern tundra are also occasionally known to paddle across water. When drier nesting areas are not available, some snowy owls nest on small islands or wetlands accessible only by swimming short distances. Their younger owlets may even swim if they fall out of the nest before they can fly. Snowy owls focusing on swimming usually submerge most of their body while using their wings for propulsion.
Eagle Owls
The large Eurasian eagle owl occasionally swims when necessary, using an undulating motion to move through the water. If an eagle owl falls into a large body of water, it may swim to safety. Some eagle owls that live along coasts and cliffs have learned to deliberately swim and fish as well.
Short Eagle Owl
A cousin of the Eurasian eagle owl, the short eared owl, has also been documented swimming. Its partially feathered feet give it slight webbing that aids in propulsion. Short eared owls that live in tundra environments where water can collect after snow melts occasionally swim when needed.
Burrowing Owls
The small burrowing owl found in North and South America sometimes inhabits prairie dog burrows located in wetlands. In these environments, the burrowing owl has been seen swimming short distances up to 13 feet (4 meters). But these owls still prefer to avoid water and are not graceful swimmers for long distances.
Other Exceptions
There are isolated reports of other owls species swimming when necessary, including barn owls, barred owls, and great horned owls. But most owls swim only if dropped into water and needing to reach land or safety. Overall, owls still strongly prefer to stay dry rather than voluntarily entering water.
Reasons Owls Don’t Swim
To summarize so far, most types of owls cannot swim well because:
- Their lightweight, hollow bones provide buoyancy but not propulsion in water.
- Large wings create drag and become waterlogged.
- Lack of webbed feet prevents paddling.
- Water-repellant plumage becomes heavy when soaked.
- Most species live in dry, terrestrial habitats.
- Hunting by sound does not work well underwater.
- Ambush-hunting tactics do not require swimming after prey.
The owls that can swim only do so for very short distances and do not generally hunt or fish underwater. Only a select few species have adaptations for occasionally paddling across water when environmental conditions require it.
What Happens If an Owl Lands in Water?
Given their inability to swim well, what would happen if an owl accidentally fell into a body of water or was pulled underwater? Unfortunately, it could be detrimental or even fatal without quick rescue.
Waterlogging
An owl’s feathers will rapidly become waterlogged if submerged, weighing the bird down and destroying the feather’s insulation and impermeability. Waterlogging impairs an owl’s ability to float or swim.
Drowning Risk
The sodden plumage and lack of propulsion make it nearly impossible for owls to keep their heads above water. Most owls will quickly become exhausted from struggling and drown if they cannot reach land or get out of the water. Smaller owls in particular can succumb within minutes.
Hypothermia
Even if rescued quickly, a soaked owl may suffer dangerous hypothermia. Their wet plumage can no longer retain enough body heat to maintain a healthy temperature. A severely hypothermic owl may not survive without veterinary assistance.
Impacted Hunting
An owl that swims or falls into water but survives may still experience disrupted hunting and feeding behaviors. Water damage to the intricately structured feathers degrades an owl’s ability to fly silently and efficiently. It may no longer be able to successfully hunt until new feathers grow in.
Owl-Friendly Practices Around Water
Since most owls and water do not mix well, it is important to be aware of owl-friendly practices regarding bodies of water.
Install Ramps or Ladders
For man-made water features, install ramps or ladders to allow an owl an easy escape if it accidentally falls in. Even a branch or plank partially submerged can give owls a way out.
Avoid Netting Over Ponds
Ponds or pools covered with protective netting pose a major drowning hazard to owls and other wildlife. Use alternate means to deter geese that are safer for owls and birds.
Place Owl Boxes Away From Water
When installing nest boxes to attract owls, place them at a safe distance from lakes, rivers, or pools. This prevents owlets from accidentally falling into the water if they wander from the nest entrance.
Remove Fishing Line and Nets
Discarded fishing gear like monofilament line and nets can entangle owls with disastrous results. Safely remove this equipment from lakes and ponds if spotted.
Let Grounded Owls Be
If you find a waterlogged owl on the ground that appears uninjured, don’t attempt to handle it or move it. Leave it alone and call wildlife rehabilitators for assistance.
In Closing
To wrap up, most owl species are not physically adapted for swimming. Their feather structure, light bones, lack of webbing, and terrestrial lifestyles make swimming highly challenging and dangerous. Only a handful of species can propel themselves short distances across water when absolutely necessary for survival. But all owls should generally be considered unable to swim well. With proper precautions to keep owls safely away from aquatic hazards, they can continue thriving in their dry, terrestrial habitats ideally suited to their unique adaptations and lifestyles.