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To survive heat waves and extremely hot weather, owls tend to hide in shaded places during the day or bathe in shallow bodies of water. They do not hibernate in winter and do not hibernate in summer either. While some warm-blooded animals are suspected of estivating, owls are not among them. The thick layer of feathers and the fact that they breed in cold weather leads people to believe that owls might estivate.Įstivation is the opposite of hibernation the term is used to refer to animals that slow down their metabolism and become dormant during hot, dry weather. See also Do Deer Hibernate or Migrate? Do Owls Estivate? Moreover, the eggs are as adapted to survive the cold weather as their parents – the female can leave them unattended for up to 20 minutes at a time, in temperatures as low as -25☏. The females can incubate eggs in temperatures as low as -35☏. After laying the eggs, the female rests in the nest to incubate them while the male hunts and brings her food. Owls are monogamous and generally divide their duties. The mating season is also the reason why owls seem to hoot more in winter compared to other months – owls hoot when claiming a territory, to fend off intruders and to communicate with their mates. Owls lay their eggs between January and February, giving the future owlets enough time to develop and hatch in early spring. By January, they also find a nesting site as well as a mate – unless they already have one. īehaviors observed in barred owls and great horned owls show that males of both species start looking for territory in late fall, generally finding it by December. Not only are owls adapted to live and hunt in harsh weather, but for many species, winter is actually their breeding season. Instead, they are as busy as ever during the cold season. The cold temperature and scarce food supply determine most animals to hibernate or migrate in winter. Besides, their excellent eyesight and directional hearing help them locate prey concealed by vegetation or snow. They have thick feather coats that cover their bodies as well as their legs and feet.

Most owls living in temperate or cold climates are well-adapted to survive the harsh winters. No matter where they live or what species they are, owls don’t hibernate.