Kindergartners give a hoot about owls

By SARAH FOOR

sfoor@vindy.com

Boardman Park activity director and outdoor education specialist Karen McCallum is no stranger to Stadium Drive Elementary, where she visits the school’s kindergartners to teach the students about seasonal local animals. Throughout the current school year, McCallum has already taught the kindergartners about turkeys and bats, and during a Jan. 30 visit, gave a friendly hoot to owls.

McCallum taught the group about screech owls, barn owls, barred owls and the great horned owl. Although owls are known to make a familiar “hoo” sound, McCallum said only the great horned owl gives that call. The educator played recordings of the owls in her presentation, explaining that some screech loudly, while others warble a type of song as their call.

“Owls are nocturnal animals and I work at the park mostly in the daytime. However, I’ve heard and caught a glimpse of a pair of barred owls in the woods at the park. I hope you’ll come by the park to listen for owls, as well as look for some of the other animals we’ve talked about throughout the year,” McCallum said.

Although there are many differences between different types of owls, McCallum said most owls have interesting common characteristics. The educator cited the owl’s ability to turn its head around nearly 270 degrees and three eyelids make them unique in the animal kingdom. She said owls are strong hunters due to their exceptional eyesight and hearing, and soft, light feathers that allow them to fly quietly.

At the end of the presentation, the kindergartners were invited to pet the feathers and feel the talons and beaks of taxidermied owls.