Why do owls have asymmetrical ears?

Owls have asymmetrical ears to enhance their ability to locate prey through sound. The uneven placement of their ears allows them to detect the direction and distance of a sound with extreme precision. When a sound reaches one ear slightly before the other, the owl can triangulate the exact location of its prey, even in complete darkness. This adaptation, combined with their excellent night vision, makes them highly effective hunters. Many owl species, such as the barn owl, rely heavily on this ability to catch small mammals and insects.