Types of Owls - Names and Photos

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 15 February 2021
Update Date: 12 November 2024
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Owls belong to the order Strigiformes and are carnivorous and nocturnal birds of prey, although some species may be more active during the day. Although they belong to the same order as the owls, there are slight differences between the two types of birds, such as the arrangement of the head feathers resembling "ears" that many owls have, and the smaller bodies of owls, as well as their heads, which feature a triangular or heart shape. On the other hand, the legs of many species are covered with feathers, almost always brown, gray and brown. They inhabit all kinds of habitats, from very cold places in the northern hemisphere to tropical rainforests. Owls have a spectacular view and, thanks to the shape of their wings, which allow them excellent maneuverability, many species can hunt their prey within thick forests.


Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article and get to know the different types of owls that exist in the world, as well as your photos.

Owl Characteristics

Owls are excellent hunters and have highly developed auditory and visual senses. They are able to see and hear small prey at great distances, hunt in very leafy environments, and maneuver among trees thanks to the rounded wings of the species that live in this type of environment. It is also common to see owls in urban environments and in abandoned buildings, such as the Barn Owl (Tyto alba), which takes advantage of these places to nest.

Generally, they feed on small vertebrates, such as rodents (very abundant in their diet), bats, other small-sized birds, lizards and invertebrates, such as insects, spiders, earthworms, among others. It is common for them to swallow their prey whole and then regurgitate them, that is, they vomit pellets or egagropyles, which are small balls of undigested animal material and are commonly found in their nests or near nesting sites.


Finally, and as we've already mentioned, most types of owls are nocturnal birds of prey, although some are on the list of diurnal birds of prey.

Differences between Owls and Owls

It is very common to confuse owls and owls, but as we saw earlier, both differ in small anatomical features, such as the following:

  • Head shape and feather arrangement: Owls have "ear imitating" feathers and a more rounded head, owls lack these "ears" and their heads are smaller and shaped like a heart.
  • body size: Owls are smaller than owls.
  • Eyes: Owls' eyes are almond-shaped, while owls usually have large yellow or orange eyes.

How many types of owl are there?

The owls we can currently see are within the order Strigiformes, which in turn is divided into two families: Strigidae and Tytonidae. As such, there are two major types of owls. Now within each family there are numerous species of owls, each classified into different genera.


Next, we'll look at examples of owls belonging to each of these types or groups.

Owls of the Tytonidae family

This family is distributed all over the world, so we can say that the types of owls that belong to it are cosmopolitan. Likewise, they stand out for having average size and for being excellent hunters. Let's find about 20 species distributed around the world, but the most popular are the ones we show.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

It is the best known representative of this family, and inhabits the entire planet, with the exception of desert and/or polar areas. It's a medium sized bird, between 33 and 36 cm. In flight, she can be seen completely white, and her white heart-shaped facial disc is very characteristic. Its feathers are soft, allowing a silent flight and perfect for hunting prey.

Precisely because of the color of its feathers during flight, this type of owl is also known as the white owl.

Black Oat (Tyto tenebricose)

Medium sized and present in New Guinea and southeastern Australia, this owl can measure up to 45 cm long, with females being a few centimeters larger than males. unlike your relative Tyto alba, this species has dark colors, like different shades of gray.

Interestingly, it is very difficult to see or hear during the day, as it remains well camouflaged among the dense foliage, and at night it sleeps in holes in trees or caves.

Grass Owl (Tyto capensis)

Native to southern and central Africa, very similar to the species Tyto alba, but differs by being larger. measures between 34 to 42 cm, has darker colors on the wings and a more rounded head. It is a bird classified as "vulnerable" in South Africa.

Owls of the Strigidae family

In this family, we find most of the representatives of the order Strigiformes, with about 228 species of owls all around the world. So let's mention the best known and most characteristic examples.

Black Owl (Huhula strix)

Typical of South America, it lives from Colombia to northern Argentina. Measures approximately of 35 to 40 cm. This type of owl can have solitary habits or walk in a couple. Its color is very striking, as it has a mottled pattern in the ventral area, while the rest of the body is blackened. It is common to see it in the highest ranges of forests in the regions where it lives.

Wild Owl (strix virgata)

It extends from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is a species of owl a little smaller, measuring between 30 and 38 cm. She also has a facial disc, but brown in color, and is distinguished by her white eyebrows and the presence of "whiskers". It is a very common species in lowland humid forest areas.

Cabure (Glaucidium brasilianum)

One of the smallest owls in this family. It can be found from the United States to Argentina. As we said, it's kind of small size since it measures between 16 and 19 cm. It has two phases of color, in which it can have a reddish or grayish color. A peculiarity of this species is the presence of spots on the back of the neck. These dots simulate "false eyes", which are often used to hunt their prey, as they make these owls appear larger. Despite their small size, they can hunt other species of birds and vertebrates.

Owl (athene night)

Much like its South American relative Athene cunicularia, this species of owl is typical of southern Europe and northern Africa. Measures from 21 to 23 cm and has a brown color with white stripes. It is very common in areas with olive groves and Mediterranean landscapes. It is identified by its characteristic chubby shape.

Northern Owl (aegolius funereus)

Distributed throughout Northern Europe. It is known as a mountain owl or owl, and inhabits coniferous forests. It is a small to medium sized species, measuring about 23 to 27 cm. It is always close to the areas where it nests. It has a large, rounded head and a plump body, which is why it is commonly confused with the athene night.

Maori Owl (Ninox New Seelandiae)

Typical of Australia, New Zealand, southern New Guinea, Tasmania and islands of Indonesia. It is the smallest and most abundant owl in Australia. Measures about 30 cm and its tail is relatively long in relation to the body. The environments in which it lives are very wide, as it is possible to find it from temperate forests and arid zones to agricultural areas.

Striped Owl (Strix hylophila)

Present in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Very characteristic for its curious singing, similar to the croak of a frog. Give me between 35 and 38 cm, and is a very difficult bird to observe due to its elusive behavior. This species is classified as "near threatened", and is found in primary tropical forests with dense vegetation.

North American Owl (Strix varies)

Native to North America, as its name implies, it is a type of owl of large size, because measures between 40 and 63 cm. This species caused the displacement of other similar but smaller species, also present in North America, such as the spotted owl. Strix occidentalis. It inhabits dense forests, however, it can also be seen in suburban areas due to the presence of rodents in these areas.

Murucututu (Pulsatrix Perspicillata)

Native to the jungles of Central and South America, it inhabits from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It's a rather large species of owl, which it measures about 50 cm and it's robust. Due to the colorful design of the feathers on its head, it is also called a spectacled owl.

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