All owls have a long, hook-tipped beak. Much of the beak is concealed by
feathering and therefore can appear quite small. The base of an owl's bill
is cloaked in feathering.
When opened wide for swallowing, however, a huge gape is revealed, more
than enough for most owl species to swallow a small mammal whole.
The gaping hooked bill of a Short-Eared Owl.
A Tawny Fish Owl opens wide.
The beak is used to kill prey held in the talons, to carry prey in flight,
and to tear portions off larger quarry prior to swallowing or feeding to
young.
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