Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes[1] (/ˈstrɪdʒəfɔːrmiːz/), which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey  typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers  adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl  and the gregarious burrowing owl.