Owls are birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, they are nocturnal and carnivorous birds of prey, although some species may be more active during the day. Although they share the same order as owls, there are small differences between the two types of birds, such as the arrangement of the head feathers as "ears" that many owls have, smaller bodies in owls, as well as their heads that, in addition, have a triangular or heart shape. On the other hand, the legs in many species are covered by feathers, which are almost in all cases brown, gray and brown. They inhabit all types of habitats, from very cold places in the northern hemisphere to tropical jungles. They have spectacular vision and, thanks to the shape of their wings that allow them excellent maneuverability, many species can hunt their prey in lush forests.
Continue reading this article on our site and learn about the different types of owls that exist in the world along with their photographs.
Characteristics of owls
Owls are excellent hunters and have highly developed senses of hearing and vision. They are able to see and hear small prey at great distances, hunt in very leafy environments and maneuver between trees thanks to their wings, which are rounded in those species that live in this type of environment. It is also common to see owls in urban environments and in abandoned buildings, as is the case of the barn owl (Tyto alba), which takes advantage of these sites to nest.
Generally, feed on small vertebrates such as rodents (very abundant in their diet), bats, other small birds, lizards and invertebrates such as insects, spiders, earthworms, among others. It is common for them to swallow their prey whole and then regurgitate, that is, they vomit pellets, which are small balls of undigested animal material and are commonly found in their nests or near nesting sites.
Finally, and as we have anticipated, most types of owls are nocturnal birds of prey, although some are part of the list of diurnal birds of prey.
Differences between owl and owl
It is very common to confuse owls and barn owls, but as we saw before, both differ in small anatomical features, such as the following:
- The shape of its head and the arrangement of its feathers: owls have feathers as “ears” and a more rounded head, barn owls they lack those “ears” and their heads are smaller and heart-shaped.
- Body size: Owls have a smaller body size than owls.
- Eyes: in owls the eyes are almond-shaped, while owls in general have large yellow or orange eyes.
Discover all the differences in this other article: "Differences between owl and owl".
How many kinds of owls are there?
The owls we can see today belong to the order Strigiforme, which in turn is divided into two families: Strigidae and Tytonidae. In this way, there are two great types of owls that exist. However, within each family there are numerous species of owls, each classified in different genera.
Next, we will see examples of owls belonging to each of these types or groups.
Owls of the family Tytonidae
This family extends throughout the world, so we can say that the types of owls that belong to it are cosmopolitan. Likewise, they stand out for being medium-sized and excellent hunters. Here we will find some 20 species that are distributed throughout the world, but the most popular are the ones shown.
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
It is the best known representative of this family and lives all over the planet except in desert and/or polar areas. It is a medium bird, 33 to 36 cmIn flight it can be seen completely white and its white heart-shaped facial disc is very characteristic. Its feathers are soft, allowing it to fly ste althily and perfect for hunting prey.
Due precisely to the color of its feathers during flight, this type of owl is also known as the white owl.
Scary Owl (Tyto tenebricosa)
Medium-sized and present in New Guinea and southeastern Australia, it can reach about 45 cm in length, being the females a few centimeters larger than males. Unlike its relative Tyto alba, this species has dark colors, like different shades of gray.
As a curious fact, during the day it is very difficult to see or hear, since it remains well camouflaged among the dense foliage, and at night it sleeps in tree holes or caves.
Cape Owl (Tyto capensis)
Native to southern and central Africa, very similar to Tyto alba, but differs in being larger. It measures about 34 to 42 cm and has darker colors on its wings and a more rounded head. It is a bird that is categorized as "vulnerable" in South Africa.
Owls of the family Strigidae
In this family we find most of the representatives of the Strigiforme order, with some 228 species of owls around the world, so that we will name the most well-known and characteristic examples.
Black Owl (Strix huhula)
Typical of South America, it inhabits from Colombia to northern Argentina. It measures approximately 35 to 40 cm This type of owl has solitary habits or can walk in pairs. Its coloration is very striking, since it has a barred design on the ventral area, while the rest of the body is blackish. It is common to see it in the highest strata in the jungles of the regions where it lives.
Striated Owl (Strix virgata)
It extends from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is a slightly smaller species of owl, measuring from 30 to 38 cm It also has a facial disk, but brown in color, and its distinctive white and the presence of "whiskers". It is very common in lowland moist forest areas.
Small Caburé (Glaucidium brasilianum)
One of the smallest owls in this family. It is distributed from the United States to Argentina. As we said, it is a small-sized species, since measures from 16 to 19 cm It has two coloration phases where it can be reddish or greyish. A peculiarity of this species is the presence of spots on the back of the neck. These spots simulate "false eyes", which are often used to hunt their prey, since it looks like a larger animal. Despite its small size, it can hunt other species of birds and vertebrates.
Eastern Owl (Athene noctua)
Very similar to its South American relative Athene cunicularia, this species of owl is typical of southern Europe and northern Africa. It measures 21 to 23 cm and is brown with white streaks. It is very common in areas with olive plantations and Mediterranean landscapes with thickets. It is identified by its characteristic stocky shape.
Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus)
Distributed throughout northern Europe. It is known as the owl or mountain owl and inhabits coniferous forests. It is a small to medium-sized species, measuring about 23 to 27 cm It is always found near the areas where it nests. It has a large, rounded head and a stocky body, which is why it is often confused with Athene noctua.
Maori Owl (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
Typical of Australia, New Zealand, South New Guinea, Tasmania and Indonesian islands. It is the smallest and most abundant in Australia. It measures about 30 cm and its tail is relatively long in relation to its body. The environments where it lives are very wide, since it is possible to see 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 song, similar to the croaking of a frog. It measures 35 to 38 cm and is a very difficult bird to observe due to its elusive behavior. It is categorized as "near threatened" and is found in primary forests with dense vegetation.
Barn Owl (Strix varia)
Native to North America, as its name indicates, it is a type of large owl, since measures from 40 to 63 cmThis species caused the displacement of another similar species, but smaller, also present in North America, 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.
Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
Native to the jungles of Central and South America, it inhabits from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is a fairly large species of owl, which reaches about 50 cm and is robust. Due to the color pattern of the feathers on its head, it is also called the spectacled owl.
