25.7M views · Apr 29, 2016 · 4:14 · 2 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2020–2026
A BBC Earth clip from Super Powered Owls in which the team uses sensitive sound equipment to compare owl flight with other birds. It shows why owls fly almost silently.
Why Hacker News points people here: Linked in owl-feather and quiet-flight threads as a clear audio comparison.
“To really appreciate how silent Owls are as compared to other birds, see this excellent video from BBC”HN comment, 2020
“To really appreciate how silent Owls are as compared to other birds, see this excellent video from BBC”
Compares owl flight silence with other birds
To really appreciate how silent Owls are as compared to other birds, see this excellent video from BBC: this video
“I also love the longer clip with the bed of feathers”
Visual of air disturbed during owl flight
I also love the longer clip with the bed of feathers: this video It gives a good visual as to how much air is being moved/disturbed during the flight/glide of each.
“Owls have feathers which make them essentially silent in flight.”
I'm willing to bet the name "Great Horned Owl" was purposeful for a vehicle where quiet is a priority. Owls have feathers which make them essentially silent in flight. this video
“Flight and audio comparisons of owls and some other birds.”
Flight and audio comparisons of owls and other birds
BBC nature video about silent owl flight. Flight and audio comparisons of owls and some other birds. this video
