Owls' nearly silent flight helps them locate and capture their prey. Normally, flapping wings create a lot of noise. This noise can interfere with hearing and scare away prey. However, owls have features that allow them to fly very quietly. First, they have large wings for their body size. This allows them to glide slowly. They don't have to flap their wings as much as other birds. Additionally, owls' feathers have a soft, velvety texture. As air moves over their feathers, the softness dampens the sound. Also, on the wing feathers of these silent hunters are two special features — combs and fringes. The front edges of their wings have comb-like structures, and the back edges have soft fringes. These structures break up the air flow and soften the sound. In combination, an owl's wing size, soft feathers, and the combs and fringes on its wing feathers allow it to be a very stealthy predator.