Where: Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water

When: Saturday, August 4

Birdland is celebrating International Owl Awareness Day on Saturday, August 4, with a host of owl-tastic activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Keepers at the Bourton-on-the-Water wildlife attraction will be leading special talks throughout the day all about owls and during the Meet the Keeper sessions visitors can have a close encounter with the park's Chaco owl, running from 12.15pm.

Younger visitors can embark on a fact-finding mission across the park to find out more about strigiformes, the scientific name for owls, as well as discovering how they catch their prey at night and finding out what's inside an owl pellet.

There are more than 200 species of owls worldwide and they can be found in virtually all terrestrial habitats; from deserts and icy tundra to rainforests and high mountains.

Birdland is home to a variety of strigiformes ranging from snowy owls and Mackinder's eagle owls to northern white-faced owls and burrowing owls in their aviaries around the park. Spot the differences between the species and learn more about them during their visit.

As well as its more exotic inhabitants, Birdland and the surrounding Nature Area, also has its own resident group of native tawny owls.

All five UK species of owl have been spotted in Gloucestershire, making it the perfect location to enjoy International Owl Awareness Day.

Top Five Fun Owl Facts:

• Contrary to popular belief, owls cannot turn their head all the way around. However, they can manage a pretty impressive 270 degrees!
• Barn owls are the most widespread of owls, found on every continent.
• A group of owls is known as a Parliament
• Owls don't have eyeballs, they're more like eye tubes. As a result they can't really move or roll their eyes. That's why they have heightened mobility in their necks.
• Owls are very quiet in flight, almost silent, compared to other birds of prey.