Can you tell the age of an owl by the size of its wingspan?

While the size of an owl's wingspan can provide an estimate of its age, it is not a foolproof method. The wingspan of an owl is generally proportional to its overall size, and as owls continue to grow throughout their life, their wingspan also increases. So, larger owls tend to have larger wingspans, but their size and wingspan can vary due to factors like genetics, nutrition, and habitat conditions.

Moreover, some species of owls have more distinct differences in size and wingspan between genders, which can make it difficult to determine their age based on wingspan alone. For example, female snowy owls tend to be larger and have a longer wingspan than males.

In general, experienced ornithologists may use various methods to estimate an owl's age, such as examining the condition of their feathers, eye color, and other physical characteristics. However, even these methods are not always precise, and it can be challenging to determine an owl's age with certainty.