War of owls and hawks: why do these birds hate each other? (10 photos)

The longest war in human history lasted 335 years. And the struggle between eagles and owls has been going on for 36 million years. And it will not end until one of them leaves the evolutionary arena forever. And if everything is clear with bipeds, we cannot divide money, land and power, then what are birds fighting for?





Mom, you have to knock!

First, let's look at the dossier and establish the identities. In the owl corner of the ring is the owl squad - more than 200 species of diverse birds that live on every continent and in all climate zones. Their opponents are the hawks and falcons: the former include hawks, eagles, eagles and kites. The latter include falcons. These birds are no less diverse and widespread.



The cyborg killer mode is activated.

What did these birds disagree about? In fact, the reasons are not much different from human ones: lands and resources are the basis of discord between clans. Both owls and hawks with falcons are excellent predators. They have a similar diet, they have occupied the same territories. Each wants to sit at the top of the food pyramid. But it is impossible to do so while competitors are breathing down your neck!





Stop, I haven't finished!

The confrontation began at the dawn of the formation of predatory bird orders. 60 million years ago, owls were the highest birds of prey. Some of them reached the height of a ten-year-old child! But 20 million years later, falconiformes appeared. And 6 million years later, hawk-like birds appeared. Both were larger and less picky. So began a fight, the rules of which are very simple: either you eat it, or you are eaten.



I've already eaten mice today. Time to eat some chicken!

But why don't we see epic battles above our heads? Because owls and hawks with falcons are not fools. Purposefully hunting each other is a bad idea for both sides, because the chances of emerging victorious are very small. But there are risks of losing your sight and breaking your wings, which means becoming disabled and dying - in this way, not a single predator would have survived to this day.



The falcon in the photo is 20% small and 80% furious.

The birds did something smarter. They divided the time of power. So eagles began to reign in the sky during the day, and owls - at night. By the way, this is connected with a very common misconception, that owls have poor vision in daylight hours, so they do not fly to hunt. They see everything perfectly well, that is why they do not show themselves unnecessarily!



I don't understand why this hollow tree is looking at me so disapprovingly?

And what will happen if the predators meet, say, in the morning or evening - at the edge of their schedules? There will be a massacre. And, most likely, without winners. The birds will maim each other and both will die.



In this position, both birds are vulnerable. They can easily be torn apart by dogs or cats.

Sometimes cunning owls arrange such meetings on purpose: night predators lie in wait while day predators fly out to hunt, and most brazenly occupy someone else's nest. A pair of birds destroys the clutch and waits for the parents to return to arrange a dark one for them together.



When you skipped classes and the class teacher noticed you.

And it also happens that owls deal with already grown chicks. Under cover of night, while everyone is asleep, they simply throw out of the house the children sleeping on the edge.



So the fairy tale was true? You can't lie down on the edge?

Hawks and falcons don't stand aside either. If they notice an owl sleeping in the branches, they'll definitely wake it up in the most rude way. That's why most owls have camouflage coloring. It's hard to spot a night predator in the treetops even during the day. Falcons and hawks aren't ashamed to squeeze food out of owls either. They crush with their weight - almost all representatives of these orders are larger and stronger than their sworn enemies.



The whole essence of the article in one photo.

Are all owls and hawks at odds with each other? Not quite. For example, polar owls have moved away from war to live further north, where their opponents are not found. Some representatives of the hawk family do not participate in the squabbles either, like the vultures: these scavengers do not care about the battle at all, they are already feasting on the bones.

And what are the outcomes of this conflict? Most likely, the war will continue as long as the planet spins and day turns to night.