Amazing Owls

Owls are an awesome part of God’s creation. There are around 255 types of owls in the world. Only about 18-19 owl species can be found in America. Check out some of these owlmazing facts about these cool birds and how they can make us think about God and His love for us!

The tiniest owl in the world is the Elf Owl, which could fit in your hand! The largest North American owl, in appearance, is the Great Gray Owl. It is bigger than a young child!

People are like these two owls in a way. Some may be very small, and others may be larger. Sometimes kids wish they were bigger and older. Adults wish they could be younger and not as big. But God created you as one of a kind. You are special! The Bible says that God’s children are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). The Lord made you as you are so you can bring Him glory. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Whether you are more like an Elf or Great Gray, God made you in a fantastic way!

Unlike people, some owl’s ears are not always the same size or even at the same height on their head. But this is a good thing because it allows them to have extra-special hearing. That comes in handy if they are being hunted by a predator or if they are seeking something. Owls are excellent hunters.

When we seek God and talk with Him by prayer, He always hears us! There are a lot of Bible verses about God listening to us. “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears” (Psalm 18:6). No matter where you are or what you say, God hears. That is even better than an owl with their crooked ears!

Not only are the ears of owls unique, so are their eyes. The eyes of an owl are not true “eyeballs.” Their tube-shaped eyes are completely immobile. This is why an owl’s head need to move so far around: they can't just turn their eyes like we can. Owls can see well during the day and have super vision at night. That helps keep them safe.

God always sees and hears us. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12). Hiding from Him is impossible. “The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He pondereth all his goings” (Proverbs 5:21). God shows His love by seeing us and caring for us, wherever we are and whatever we are doing!

Owls are zygodactyl, which means their feet have two forward-facing toes and two backward-facing toes. Unlike most other zygodactyl birds, however, owls can pivot one of their back toes forward to help them grip and walk. Most people cannot pronounce or spell zygodactyl. Imagine trying to put on your socks if you were zygodactyl! Humans have good balance with all our toes on one side and going in the same direction. Of course, we do not stand around on branches and wires like owls!

Owls have toes in opposite directions. There are two directions that people can go in life. They are opposite directions. Some people choose to reject the God who made us and try to find meaning without Him. People who live for themselves and do not receive God’s gift will be separated from God forever.

Or we can believe what the Bible says, that God loves us and offers salvation through Jesus. Those who believe that Jesus died to pay for their sins and was raised from the dead will live forever with God in Heaven.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).

 Be wise like an owl. Accept Jesus as your Savior and friend today!