Terra Natura Benidorm has welcomed Klaus, a great grey owl (Strix nebulosa), to its educational free-flight demonstrations. Widely regarded as one of the largest owl species in the world, the great grey owl is renowned for possessing one of the most remarkable hearing abilities in the animal kingdom. His arrival further strengthens the park’s commitment to environmental education, giving visitors the opportunity to discover a lesser-known species and the extraordinary adaptations that enable it to thrive in the wild.

The park’s nocturnal birds currently includes nine individuals: a pair of African spotted eagle-owls (Manyu and Moon), a pair of barn owls of different colour morphs (Chechu and Beyoncé), a pair of Indian eagle-owls (Atreyu and Chonza), a Verreaux’s eagle-owl (Goliath), a tawny owl (Rico), and now Klaus, the great grey owl. His arrival expands the representation of nocturnal birds within the educational flying displays, offering visitors even greater insight into the diversity and adaptations of birds of prey. Klaus can already be seen taking part in the demonstrations alongside the park’s other ambassador species.

The great grey owl is one of the largest owl species in the world in terms of both body length and wingspan. Adults can measure between 60 and 84 centimetres in length, yet despite their impressive appearance, they remain relatively lightweight. Their exceptionally dense plumage creates the illusion of a much larger bird while providing excellent insulation against the harsh climates of their natural range.

Beyond its impressive size, the species is best known for its extraordinary hearing. For great grey owls, hearing is even more important than eyesight when it comes to locating prey. Their large, circular facial disc acts like a highly efficient sound collector, funnelling even the faintest noises towards the ears with remarkable precision.

Adding to this remarkable adaptation, the owl’s ears are positioned asymmetrically, with one set slightly higher than the other. This unique arrangement enables it to determine both the direction and depth of a sound, effectively creating a three-dimensional acoustic map of its surroundings.

Thanks to this exceptional hearing, the great grey owl is capable of one of the most impressive hunting techniques in the natural world. It can accurately locate small rodents hidden beneath deep snow or dense vegetation without ever seeing them, relying solely on the sounds they make before striking with remarkable precision.

Klaus’s arrival enriches the educational content of Terra Natura Benidorm’s free-flight demonstrations, giving visitors the chance to see this extraordinary owl while learning about the remarkable adaptations that make it one of the world’s most efficient nocturnal predators.