Why do owls have facial discs?

Owls have facial discs, a characteristic arrangement of feathers around their faces, which serve to funnel sound to their ears. These discs help amplify and direct sound toward the owl’s highly sensitive ears, enhancing its ability to detect even the faintest sounds in the dark. The facial discs also help owls localize sounds with precision, which is crucial for hunting nocturnal prey. The asymmetry in some owl species’ ear placement further enhances their directional hearing.