We’re all familiar with what an owl is, but many people don’t realize that there are a variety of owl types with diverse features. While they have many things in common, the owl family is wide and varies greatly.
Types Of Owls
There are over 250 types of owl species globally, but in this article we will focus on 19 owls well known species worth exploring.
1. Barn Owl
A medium sized owl with a pretty distinctive face, the barn owl is not difficult to spot. It has a heart shaped facial disc and I find it hard not to notice the lack of ear tufts.
As you’d expect from its habitat, the barn owl’s plumage is pale and buff with gray tones. It prefers open habitats such as farmlands and grasslands to hunt small mammals like rodents. These owls tend to be solitary and roost alone but form pairs during breeding seasons.
2. Barred Owl
While the barred owl is also tuftless, it’s much larger. Measuring 40-63 cm in length, its wingspan is an impressive 96-125cm. I personally love its brown and gray plumage. You can distinguish them by the horizontal barring on the throat and vertical streaks on the belly.
The barred owl has dark brown eyes and a yellow bill and is usually seen hunting from perches during the night. Spot them in mature forests with dense foliage, but I’ve seen them in urban areas as well. They’re very territorial, so you can hear their hooting from afar.
3. Boreal Owl
Also known as the Tengmalm’s owl, this is a smaller species characterized by its round head and large yellow eyes. I always felt that it looked surprised, thanks to its white facial disc that contrasts with the brown plumage spotted with white.
Boreal Owls prefer dense coniferous forests and are generally solitary, forming pairs only during the breeding season. They are adapted for hunting in snowy environments.
4. Burrowing Owl
This is a small, ground-dwelling owl measuring 19-28 cm long with a wingspan of 50-61 cm. The burrowing owl’s mottled brown body is speckled with white. It has a rounded head and prominent yellow eyes with no ear tufts.
This owl is diurnal, meaning it hunts during the day and also at dawn or dusk. It typically nests in abandoned burrows of other animals. One unique feature is its ability to mimic sounds (such as rattlesnakes) to deter predators. Owls are also social birds, forming colonies.
5. Eastern Screech-Owl
The Eastern Screech owl is a petite bird, measuring only 16-24 cm with a 48-61 cm wingspan. The plumage is either a reddish brown or a gray. It has yellow eyes and small ear tufts that it can raise up.
Primarily nocturnal, this owl prefers diverse habitats such as deciduous forests and parks. They are solitary outside of breeding season and camouflage well. In addition to hooting, they show other vocalizations, such as screeches and trills.
6. Elf Owl
Recognized as the world’s lightest and smallest owl species, the Elf owl measures around 12.5-14.5cm with a wingspan of only 27 cm. It features a short tail, reddish-brown coloration, and lacks ear tufts.
Primarily nocturnal, it hunts insects like scorpions and grasshoppers. Elf Owls nest in woodpecker holes in desert habitats and are known for their loud, yapping calls.
7. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
This small, stocky owl features cinnamon or gray plumage. Their distinctive black bars on a reddish tail make them easy to identify. Active during the day, it hunts insects, small mammals, and birds from perches. Ferruginous Pygmy Owls are known for their bold behavior and often nest in tree cavities or cacti, forming strong pair bonds with their mates.
8. Flammulated Owl
This small nocturnal owl has notably dark eyes and small ear tufts. It measures 15-18 cm in length, with a wingspan of approximately 36-42 cm.
The species exhibits two color morphs: rusty-red and gray, perfect for camouflaging in the mountainous forests it prefers.
Preying on insects like moths and beetles, these owls hunt by perching quietly. They are migratory, wintering in Central America. You can find them nesting in wood peckers’ tree cavities.
9. Great Gray Owl
This is the largest owl species by length. It measures a whopping 61-84cm with an impressive wingspan of 137-153 cm. With a distinctive round face and a large facial disc, this tuftless owl is easy to identify.
The Great Gray owl is nocturnal, hunting small mammals in dense boreal forests. You can find its nests in abandoned raptor nests or tree cavities.
10. Great Horned Owl
A large owl known for its distinctive ear tufts and intimidating eyes, the Great Horned Owl is a powerful species. It measured 43-64 cm in length with a wingspan of 91-153cm.
This adaptable owl inhabits diverse environments, from forests to urban areas. It’s one of the most recognizable owl species, with a deep hooting call and an impressive size.
11. Long-Eared Owl
A medium-sized owl with an orange facial disc, the long-eared owl can be distinguished by its exceptionally long ear tufts. It’s a primarily nocturnal hunter, preying on small mammals using its impressive hearing.
The long-eared owl prefers semi-open habitats like woodland edges and roosts in dense foliage. You can find groups of these owls roosting in abandoned nests of other birds in the winter.
12. Northern Hawk Owl
Yet another medium-sized owl, this one stands out with its smoky white face bordered in black. With yellow eyes and a long tail, it really looks like a hawk and also behaves a little like one.
The Northern Hawk Owl is diurnal, hunting during the day. You can find it in open forests and areas with fewer trees. It also has a few distinctive calls, including rapid whistles and screeches.
13. Northern Pygmy-Owl
Characterized by its yellow eyes and distinctive “false eyes” on the back of its head, this owl hunts primarily during the day.
Preferring coniferous and mixed forests, this fierce predator nests in tree cavities made by woodpeckers. Known for its bold behavior, the Northern Pygmy-Owl often attracts attention from songbirds that mob it when spotted.
14. Northern Saw-Whet Owl
This is a small nocturnal owl measuring 17-21 cm in length with a wingspan of 42-56 cm. With a round head and yellow eyes, its distinctive feature is the white Y marking on its face.
The owl prefers dense coniferous first, nesting in old woodpecker holes or tree cavities. It has a high-pitched “toot” call that is pretty unique.
15. Short-Eared Owl
With very basic features like a round head, large yellow eyes, and short ear tufts, the Short-Eared Owl is difficult to spot. Its plumage is mottle tawny to brown, great for camouflage.
You might notice its distinctive flight pattern, which is very erratic. It is primarily nocturnal but sometimes active during the day.
16. Snowy Owl
Truly one of the more beautiful owl species, the snowy owl is a large, striking owl. Its white plumage features varying amounts of black markings. You can find this owl in open areas like tundra and grasslands. They are often active during the day, especially in the summer.
17. Spotted Owl
This medium-sized owl is characterized by its dark brown plumage adorned with white spots. It has a round head and dark brown eyes.
Spotted owls inhabit old-growth forests, nesting in tall coniferous trees in areas with dense canopy cover. The population of this owl is declining due to habitat loss and competition from Barred Owls.
18. Western Screech-Owl
This small owl is native to North and Central America, measuring 19-25.5 cm in length with a wingspan of approximately 55 cm. It features prominent feathered ear tufts and a pale face bordered by dark markings. Plumage varies from gray to brown.
They prefer forested habitats, including deciduous and mixed woods. Known for its distinctive calls, the Western Screech Owl plays an important role in its ecosystem as a predator and indicator species of forest health.
19. Whiskered Screech-Owl
This is a small owl with grayish-brown plumage, golden eyes, and small ear tufts. It primarily inhabits dense forests and is known for its distinctive call, which I’ve always found to resemble Morse code, as it is a series of spaced notes.
Conservation efforts are important as this species is considered threatened in some areas.
Final Thoughts
Owls are a diverse group of birds with unique adaptations. From the tiny Elf Owl to the massive Great Gray Owl, each species has its own story to tell. Understanding and appreciating their diversity is crucial for their conservation.
