turbulence: the movement of air
bird of prey: a bird that hunts and eats animals
flap: to make an up and down movement
sneak up on: to approach someone or something in a secretive way
velvety: soft like velvet
drawback: a negative aspect
Owls Fly Silently
Most birds make noise when they fly. They create turbulence as their wings touch the air. Owls, however, fly silently. These birds of prey have wide wings and small bodies. They don’t need to flap very much. An owl’s velvety feathers also contribute to the silence. The air passes easily through their soft wings without creating a sound. Silent flight allows owls to sneak up on their prey. Velvety feathers do have one drawback. They aren’t waterproof7. In a rainstorm, owls have difficulty staying warm and finding food to eat.
