International Owl Awareness Day

While they can’t turn their heads all the way around like some people believe, these fascinating creatures do have lots of spectacular features going for them!

International Owl Awareness Day is here to promote public education about owls and encourage more people to support efforts to protect their habitat and help these birds avoid further decline.

History of International Owl Awareness Day

While some people tend to think of owls during October because of their relationships with spooky Halloween, this day is set aside to be celebrated in early August!

The event was started through the efforts of owl and bird conservationists who wanted more people to know and take action about the decline in the population of many owl species.

Since its inception, International Owl Awareness Day has been promoted by several different reputable organizations and institutions, such as the International Owl Center, the University of Bath, the American Eagle Foundation, and more.

How to Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day

Show some love and appreciation for this mysterious creature by celebrating International Owl Awareness Day using some of these ideas to get started:

Learn Interesting Facts About Owls

Teachers and parents of young children can turn International Owl Awareness Day into a variety of lessons that are fun to learn!

Sing songs, draw or color pictures, and learn some fun facts about owls in honor of the event. Head over to the library to find resources books on owls, or begin by sharing a few of these fascinating facts:

• Most owls have ears that are asymmetrical, with one further forward and higher than the other, helping them pinpoint locations in the dark
• Owls can fly almost silently because of their special feathers and wings that reduce noise
• Owls are nocturnal (nighttime) birds of prey with huge eyes that are amazing for seeing in the dark 
• While owls are often thought of as making a hooting noise, some species of owls might screech, whinny or even bark

Visit an Owl Sanctuary

One excellent way to celebrate International Owl Awareness Day might be to visit a home where owls are kept and cared for.

These might exist on their own or as part of a larger bird sanctuary. Check to see if they have special events such as educational opportunities, expert speakers, organized owl prowls and more.

Or, join in with the International Owl Sanctuary for virtual programs that people from all over the world can join!

Don an International Owl Awareness T-shirt

Made available by the International Owl Center (IOC) located in Houston, Minnesota, a great way to show support for owls is to hop on the website to purchase one of the International Owl Awareness Day T-shirts and make a donation to the charity at the same time.

(Members of the IOC can request to save 10% on the cost of their purchase!) Wear the shirt not only on this day but throughout the year to get others excited about the event.