How do owls fly silently?

Owls fly silently due to specialised feathers that reduce noise during flight. The leading edges of their primary feathers have a comb-like structure that breaks up airflow, minimising turbulence. Their wing surfaces are soft and velvety, absorbing sound, while the trailing edges of the feathers are fringed to further reduce noise. These adaptations allow owls to hunt effectively by sneaking up on prey without being detected.