Experiment! How Does An Owl Fly So Silently? | Super Powered Owls | BBC
Why Hacker News recommends it
Linked in owl-feather and quiet-flight threads as a clear audio comparison.
What it is
A BBC Earth clip from Super Powered Owls in which the team uses sensitive sound equipment to compare owl flight with other birds. It shows why owls fly almost silently.
Recommended by 2 HN commenters across 2 different months, 2020 to 2026.
What Hacker News said
Recommends seshagiric · 2020-05 · on “The silence of the owls”
To really appreciate how silent Owls are as compared to other birds, see this excellent video from BBC: [this video]
Recommends Amorymeltzer · 2026-06 · on “The Genius of the Barn Owl's Feathers”
I also love the longer clip with the bed of feathers: [this video] It gives a good visual as to how much air is being moved/disturbed during the flight/glide of each.
Cites Exmoor · 2020-04 · on “Unmasking Northrop Grumman's XRQ-72A”
I'm willing to bet the name "Great Horned Owl" was purposeful for a vehicle where quiet is a priority. Owls have feathers which make them essentially silent in flight. [this video]
Cites wingspar · 2020-09 · on “The Silent Flight of Owls, Explained (2017)”
BBC nature video about silent owl flight. Flight and audio comparisons of owls and some other birds. [this video]