Owl Legs: Everything You Need To Know (With Pictures)

There are more than 200 different species of owls in all shapes and sizes. We’ve all grown used to the typical owl look, with its striking plumage, powerful talons and big eyes, but what about the owl’s legs? Over the years, various photos of the naked owl’s legs have gone viral on the Internet, fascinating many people. So that’s why we’ve put together this guide to try to answer questions and show (some really interesting) pictures of owl legs.

Owls have heavy down jackets to protect themselves from cold temperatures, and on most owls, all those feathers hide long legs. Only a few species of owls actually have bare legs where you can fully see the legs – the most common being the burrowing owl.

Are those legs going up like an owl? Well, it looks like they do!

Short-eared owl’s long legs

How long are the legs of an owl?

An owl’s legs can reach up to half the total length of its body.

This does vary between owl species, which means there is a very wide range of owl leg heights. The main reason is that there are over 200 species, with some giant and tiny owls on the other end of the spectrum.

Why do owls have long legs?

The owl’s legs are actually quite powerful, and besides being a bit of fun to look at, they serve an important purpose. Owls are known to have powerful talons that they use to catch and kill prey, so it only makes sense that they would need to be accompanied by powerful legs to carry away any prey. The owl’s legs are also used for stretching, allowing them to attack prey with greater precision.

Burrowing owls differ from other owl species in that they live in burrows underground and do some hunting on the ground (as well as in the air). They are capable of flight, but not as efficiently as other owls.

What owl has the longest legs?

Not much is known about it, but it is thought that the eagle owl (bubo bubo) may have one of the longest legs of any owl. This is based on the fact that they are, on average, among the tallest owls in the world. This means their legs may be 20 to 30 centimeters long.

Eagle owl attacking prey with long legs

What are the owl’s legs called?

Owl legs do not have specific or scientific names, so they are simply called legs!

Do owls have knees?

Yes, owls have knees. Most types of owls have patellas (kneecaps), but most species of owls are covered in feathers. The joint is between the large bones that lie between the femur and tibia (tibiatarsus).

Many people mistake owl knees for ankles because birds have different leg structures.

Can an owl walk?

Yes, all owls can walk. Most species don’t spend much time doing this, though, preferring to perch on high branches.

Can an owl run?

Yes, most owls are capable of running, although not much is known about the speeds they are capable of. Just because owls can run doesn’t mean it’s common for them to do so. They are better at capturing prey using silent flight and striking from above with their powerful claws.

Burrowing owls are one of the fastest owls in the world, and if you’ve ever seen an owl run, they’re pretty fast. They sometimes run to chase and capture prey on the ground.

Burrowing owl running on the ground

Do owls walk backwards?

Yes, owls can walk backwards. They have two forward-facing claws and one rear-facing claw. This structure gives them excellent balance, allowing them to walk in different directions with ease.

final thoughts

Seeing an owl on the ground is a rare sight, and seeing them walk and run is even rarer, no wonder we are all so fascinated when we see an owl’s legs. You sure don’t look at owls the same way.