Owl Glossary

Boreal forest:
The forest of mixed conifers and hardwoods that grows in cold and dry northern areas around the world, including Interior Alaska.
Crepuscular:
Active at dusk and dawn.
Diurnal:
Active during the daytime.
Gizzard:
A strong, muscular digestive structure in birds used primarily for grinding and digesting tough food.
Habitat:
The place where an animal lives. Habitat must provide food, water, shelter (or cover), and space in a suitable arrangement that an owl needs to survive.
Mobbing:
When a group of songbirds noisily harasses an owl or other bird of prey.
Nocturnal:
Active only during the night.
Predator:
An animal that hunts other animals.
Prey:
An animal that is hunted by other animals.
Raptor:
Nontechnical classification for a bird of prey. Includes falcons, eagles, hawks, and owls.