Owl Diversity in Iowa

According to the Iowa DNR, there are nine different owl species in the State of Iowa.  The owls are found in different regions of the State of Iowa and each have a unique look and habitat.  All nine owls are shown in the video. 

• What do you think the advantage is for young animals to look different from their parents?

• What do you think the advantage is for young animals if they look the same as their parents?
• Do all owls look exactly alike? Why or why not? 

Students could:

• Create a display that shows the different kinds of owls that points out the features all owls have in common and the features that are different.  
• Compare and contrast young and adult owls. 
• Brainstorm what young owls need to survive and how that would impact how young owls look.

• PBS LearningMedia | NOVA Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits:  This NOVA collection includes videos and simiulations to explore heredity. 
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | Iowa Owl Identification Guide:  This guide lists the different owls in the State of Iowa and includes a picture of each one. 
• Live Science | Genetics: The Study of Heredity:  Background genetics information including explaination of heredity, where organisms get traits, and mutations.   
• Scholastic Study Jams! | Heredity: This resource from provides the definition and important vocabulary about heredity. 
• Teach.Genetics | Heredity:  This resource is a teaching module that can be used to introduce genetic concepts.