Owls belong to the order of the Strigiforms and are nocturnal and carnivorous birds of prey, although some species may have more activity during the day. Although they belong to the same order as owls, there are small differences between the two types of birds, such as the arrangement of the “ear-shaped” head feathers that have many owls, and the small bodies of the owls, as well as their heads, which are triangular or heart-shaped. 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 forests. The owls have spectacular views and, thanks to the shape of their wings, which allows them to maneuver excellently, many species can hunt their prey in shady forests.
Continue reading this peritoAnimal article and learn about the different types of owls that exist in the world, as well as your photos.
- 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 between 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 areas and in abandoned buildings.
- As is the case of the scary owl (Tyto alba).
- Which uses these places to nest.
They usually 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 all their prey and then regurgitat, i.e. they vomit balls or egagr-stacks, which are small balls of undigested animal matter and commonly found in their nests or near nesting sites.
Finally, and as we have already said, most types of owls are nocturnal raptors, although some are on the list of daytime raptors.
It is very common to confuse owls with owls, but as we have seen before, the two differ in small anatomical characteristics, such as:
The owls we can see today belong to the Order of the Strigiforms, which in turn is divided into two families: the Strigidae and the Tytonidae. Therefore, there are two main types of owls. Now, within each family, there are countless species of owls, each classified into different genes.
Then we will see examples of owls belonging to each of these types or groups.
This family is spread all over the world, so we can say that the types of owls that are part of it are cosmopolitan. They are also distinguished by their average size and by their excellent hunters. We will find about 20 species scattered around the world, but the most popular ones are the ones we show.
Scare of the bell towers (Tyto alba)
He is the best-known representative of this family and inhabits the entire planet, with the exception of desert and/or polar areas. It is a medium-sized bird, between 33 and 36 cm. In flight, you can see it completely white, and its white heart-shaped facial disc is very characteristic. Its feathers are soft, allowing a quiet flight perfect for hunting prey.
Precisely because of the color of its feathers during flight, this type of owl is also known as white owl.
Medium in size and found in New Guinea and southeastern Australia, this owl can be up to 45 cm long, and females measure a few centimeters more than males. Unlike its 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 sleeps at night in tree hollows or caves.
Native to southern and central Africa, very similar to the species Tyto alba, but of different size. It measures from 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.
In this family, we find most of the representatives of the Order of the Strigiforms, with about 228 species of owls in the world. Therefore, we will mention the most well-known and characteristic examples.
Black Owl (Strix huhula)
Typical of South America, it lives from Colombia to northern Argentina. It measures about 35 to 40 cm. This type of owl can have solitary habits or walk in pairs. Its coloration is very striking, as it has a jaspered pattern in the ventral area, while the rest of the body is blackened. It is common to see it in the high forests of the regions where you live.
It extends from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is a slightly smaller species of owl, measuring between 30 and 38 cm. It also has a facial disc, but brown, and is distinguished by its white eyebrows and the presence of “bigotes”. It is a very common species in low-forest areas.
One of the smallest owls in this family. It can be found from the United States to Argentina. As we said, it is a small species, measuring between 16 and 19 cm. It has two coloring phases, in which it can have a reddish or grayish color. A peculiarity of this species is the presence of spots on the neck. These dots simulate “fake eyes,” which are usually used to hunt prey because they make these owls appear larger. Despite their small size, they can hunt other species of birds and vertebrates.
Like its South American relative Athene cunicularia, this species of owl is typical of southern Europe and North Africa. It measures from 21 to 23 cm and has a brown color with white stripes. It is very common in areas of olive groves and Mediterranean landscapes. It is identified by its characteristic fleshy form.
Distributed throughout northern Europe. It is known as a mountain owl and inhabits coniferous forests. It is a small to medium-sized species, measuring about 23 to 27 cm. It is always close to areas where you nest. It has a large, rounded head and a plump body, so it usually fuses with Athene noctua.
Typical of Australia, New Zealand, southern New Guinea, Tasmania and the islands of Indonesia. It is the smallest and most abundant owl in Australia. It measures about 30 cm and its tail is relatively long compared to the body. The environments in which you live are very wide, as you can find from temperate forests and arid areas to agricultural areas.
Present in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Very characteristic for its curious singing, similar to the croaking of a frog. It measures between 35 and 38 cm and is a bird very difficult to observe due to its elusive behavior. This species is classified as “almost threatened” and is found in densely vegetated primary tropical forests.
Native to North America, as the name suggests, it is a type of large owl, measuring between 40 and 63 cm. This species has caused the displacement of other similar but smaller species, also found 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.
Native to the jungles of Central and South America, it lives from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is a very large kind of owl, which can measure up to 50 cm and is robust. Because of the colorful design of the feathers on his head, he is also called owl with glasses.
If you would like to read articles similar to Owl Types – Names and photos, we recommend that you visit our Curiosities of the Animal World section.