Owls are mostly nocturnal birds that are often confused with barn owls. Both species are part of the Strigiformes order, but there are clear morphological differences between them.
These birds are among the oldest in the world, as there are fossil records dating back to the Eocene, 65 million years ago. This species has developed in a diverse way until it is distributed throughout the world. Do you know the types of owls that exist? In this article on our site we talk about them. Keep reading!
Characteristics of owls
Owls belong to the order Strigiformes, which is divided into two families:
- Strigidae (owls).
- Tytonidae (owls).
They have existed since the Eocene, 65 million years ago, and it is very likely that their number multiplied during the Tertiary period, thanks to the increase in mammals. They can be found worldwide, except for the Antarctic and oceanic islands; however, their number is more abundant in the tropical areas, where 35% of the species are found.
Owls measure between 14 and 80 centimeters. Their habits can be arboreal or terrestrial, most of the species are nocturnal, although there are also some diurnal ones.
Owl Morphology
As for the morphology of the owl, they present the following characteristics:
- Eyes located forward, contrary to the rest of the birds (on the sides of the head).
- Stereoscopic view.
- His head rotates up to 270 degrees.
- The eyes are adapted for low-light environments.
- Dense and smooth plumage.
- Asymmetrical hearing, which allows you to locate prey in the dark.
How many kinds of owls are there?
There are 250 species of owls and barn owls. The family Strigidae contains 3 subfamilies:
- Asioninae.
- Striginae.
- Surniinae.
These subfamilies contain various genera that we will detail below to tell you about the different types of owls.
Types of owls of the subfamily Asioninae
We start with the owls of the Asioninae type. The main owls of this subfamily are the following:
Owls of the genus Asio
In the Asio genus are the so-called eared owls. They are species of wide distribution, since it is possible to find them in Europe, America, Asia and even in some islands, such as the Galapagos.
These owls are up to 45 cm tall and are easy to spot, as they have feathers that stand on the sides of their heads, similar to ears. They are nocturnal and feed on small mammals.
Some Owl species of the genus Asio are:
- Asio capensis.
- Asio otus otus.
- Asio stygius.
In this other article on our site, we show you more Nocturnal Birds of Prey - Names and examples.
Owls of the genus Nesasio
This genus contains a single species, the Solomon's owl (Nesasio solomonensis). It is endemic to the Solomon Islands (Oceania), where it lives in wooded areas. It is an arboreal species, measures up to 30 cm and its plumage is reddish with white eyebrows.
Owls of the genus Pseudoscops
To the genus Pseudoscops belong owls characterized by a marked dorsal skull, which causes the head to have a more triangular shape, instead of round. It is a more primitive species than the genus Asio.
Only two species of owls belong to this genus:
- Pseudoscops clamator.
- Pseudoscops grammicus.
Owl of the genus Bubo
The genus Bubo includes the larger owls They are distributed in Asia, Europe and America, where they stand out for the diversity of their appearances. Despite this, owls have a mottled plumage with white patches and some species have long “ears”.
The following are species of owl of the genus Buho:
- Bubo cinerascens.
- Bubo flavipes.
- Bubo magellanicus.
- Bubo philippensis.
You may also be interested in this other article on Feeding the eagle owl, another of the most popular European owls that exist.
Types of owls of the subfamily Striginae
As you can see, today, the vast majority of owls belong to the Striginae subfamily. Some of them are the following:
Owls of the genus Jubula
A single species makes up the genus Jubula, the maned owl (Jubula lettii). It is distributed in various African countries, such as Congo, Gabon and Ghana. It lives in evergreen forests. Little is known about its habits, although there is a possibility that it is insectivorous.
Owls of the genus Ketupa
Among the types of owls, those belonging to the genus Ketupa are distinguished by being fishermen. They are owls from Asia, where they are widely distributed in areas with water sources. The species reach between 50 and 60 centimeters in height.
There are three owls that are part of the Ketupa genus:
- Ketupa flavipes.
- Ketupa ketupu.
- Ketupa zeylonensis.
Owls of the genus Lophostrix
A single species is part of the Lophostrix genus, the White-horned or White-horned Owl (Lophostrix cristata). It is distributed in Central and South America, where it has nocturnal habits. The species measures up to 40 cm and is easy to distinguish, because it has long eyebrows that reach its “ears”; thanks to this, the owl's face has an unmistakable expression.
Currently, the IUCN classifies this species as least concern.
Owls of the genus Margarobyas
The genus Margarobyas is also made up of one species, the cuckoo or sijú owl (Margarobyas lawrencii). This owl is endemic to Cuba, where it lives in the forests. The species is nocturnal and measures up to 22 cm tall. It stands out for its eyes: brown, round and very bright, which give it a tender appearance.
Owls of the genus Mascarenotus
Owls of the genus Mascarenotus are extinct They inhabited the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. The species were described during the 19th century thanks to found fossils, but it is estimated that they disappeared at the end of the 17th century
The owls that were part of this genus are:
- Mascarenotus grucheti.
- Mascarenotus murivorus.
- Mascarenotus sauzieri.
In the attached illustration, we can see a representation of an owl Mascarenotus murivorus.
Owls of the genus Megascops
The genus Megascops includes small owls that inhabit North AmericaThey are nocturnal and feed on insects and small mammals. They are distinguished by their mostly brown plumage, which allows them to blend in with the trees.
Some types of owls of the genus Megascops are:
- Megascops albogularis.
- Megascops asio.
- Megascops atricapilla.
- Megascops barbarus.
- Megascops centralis.
- Megascops choliba.
Owls of the genus Otus
The genus Otus encompasses a large number of owl species. In many countries, they are called owls or scops owls, when in fact they are small owls.
Birds of the genus Otus are nocturnal and live in North America and Mexico. These are some of the species included:
- Otus nigrorum.
- Otus pamelae.
- Otus pauliani.
- Otus pembaensis.
- Otus rufescens.
- Otus rutilus.
- Otus sagittatus.
- Otus scops.
Owls of the genus Psiloscops
Another type of owl that forms its own genus is the flamed owl (Psiloscops flammeolus). This is another little owl, similar to those belonging to the genus Otus.
The flamed scops owl is distributed in United States, Mexico, Canada and Guatemala, where it lives in the forests. He is 17 centimeters tall and his eyes are dark, the iris is difficult to appreciate.
Owls of the genus Ptilopsis
The genus Ptilopsis only includes two species of owls, both native to Africa. It is easy to recognize them, as the plumage is a combination of white and silver, with some darker areas. The eyes are yellow or orange.
The two species of Ptilopsis owls are:
- Ptilopsis leucotis.
- Ptilopsis granti.
Owls of the genus Pulsatrix
Owls of the genus Pulsatrix are distributed in Central and South America. They are species that reach 60 cm in height and whose plumage forms a mask around the eyes; thanks to this peculiarity, they are easy to recognize.
Only three species of owls belong to this genus :
- Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana.
- Pulsatrix melanota.
- Pulsatrix perspicillata.
Owls of the genus Pyrroglaux
The genus Pyrroglaux also includes a species of owl, the Palau scops owl (Pyrroglaux podargina). This scops owl is endemic to Palau, near Micronesia (Oceania). Little is known about its habits and its distribution within the island. The IUCN classifies it as a species of least concern in terms of conservation.
Owls of the genus Scotopelia
The genus Scotopelia is made up of only three species of owls distributed in Africa. In Spanish, they are called cárabos. These species are also fishing and have mostly brown plumage.
The three species of tawny owls are:
- Scotopelia bouvieri.
- Scotopelia peli.
- Scotopelia ussheri.
Owls of the genus Strix
The genus Strix has a large number of owl species, some of which are considered owls rather than owls. They are distributed in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
Owls of this genus measure between 30 and 40 cm. They lack the elongated feathers that simulate ears and their habits are nocturnal.
This genus includes the following species of owls:
- Strix chacoensis.
- Strix davidi.
- Strix fulvescens.
- Strix hadorami.
If you have doubts when it comes to differentiating an owl from an owl, in this other article we tell you all the differences between an owl and an owl.
Types of owls of the subfamily Surniinae
The third of the owl subfamilies is the Surniinae; we do not include in this list the genus Ninox, since the species are called hawk owls.
Owls of the genus Aegolius
The genus Aegolius includes small species of owls, reaching an average of 16 and 27 cm high. They are common in Asia, Europe and North America. They live in mountains and forests, where they feed on insects, small mammals, and bats.
Some species of owl of the genus Aegolius are:
- Aegolius acadicus.
- Aegolius funereus.
- Aegolius gradyi.
- Aegolius harrisii.
Owls of the genus Athene
The types of owls that make up the genus Athene are also called owls They are small birds that are distributed almost all over the world. They measure up to 15 cm tall and are characterized by amber eyes and speckled plumage with white eyebrows.
Only includes three species of owl:
- Athene bellows.
- Athene cunicularia.
- Athene noctua.
Owls of the genus Glaucidium
The genus Glaucidium includes a wide variety of species that are also called owls. They are distributed in America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Like other types of owls, they are small and feed on insects and mammals.
Some owl species of the genus Glaucidium are:
- Glaucidium albertinum.
- Glaucidium bolivianum.
- Glaucidium brasilianum.
- Glaucidium brodiei.
- Glaucidium californicum.
Owls of the genus Heteroglaux
Only one species is part of the genus Heteroglaux, the Blewitt's owl (Heteroglaux blewitti). This owl is endemic to India, where it has been considered extinct on several occasions. It measures 23 cm tall and has a chubby body. Its plumage is a mixture of gray, white and brown spots. Currently, the IUCN considers it an endangered species
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Owls of the genus Micrathene
This genus also includes one species, the pygmy owl (Micrathene whitneyi). This type of owl is one of the smallest in the world, reaching only 13 cm in height. It is possible to find it in the United States and Mexico, where it lives in the forests and savannahs. It is a migratory and nocturnal bird.
Owls of the genus Sceloglaux
This is another genus that has only one species of owl, the white-faced owl (Sceloglaux albifacies). It is a type of extinct owl that was endemic to New Zealand. It was about 40 cm long and had yellow plumage with brown stripes. The reason for its disappearance was the introduction of large mammals on the island.
Owls of the genus Surnia
The genus Surnia also includes a species of owl, the hawk-owl (Surnia ulula). It inhabits Europe, Asia, and North America, where it lives in forests. It has a flat head and pointed wings, characteristics that give it the name of hawk.
Owls of the genus Uroglaux
This genus also includes one species, the New Guinea Harrier Owl (Uroglaux dimorpha). The species is endemic to New Guinea, where it is distributed in 20 different localities. Little is known about its habits, although it feeds on other birds, insects, and rodents.
Owls of the genus Xenoglaux
The last of the owl types, is the shaggy owl (Xenoglaux loweryi). It measures a maximum of 14 cm and lacks ear feathers. It is currently distributed in Peru, where it lives in the Andes. The IUCN considers the species in danger of extinction, due to the effect of mining, climate change and agriculture.
