Owls' feet have a wide spread and the outer toe is highly movable, so wiggling prey cannot escape. The size of the talon is indicative of the size of the talon is indicative of the size of the preferred prey. Great Horned Owls' enormous piercing talons enable them to take very large prey such as muskrat, opossum, skunk, rabbit, and even young fox. Barn owls with medium sized talons usually prey on rats, mice and voles. Saw-whets with small talons, favor mice, shrews and insects.
Owls Eating Habits