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How Many Species Of Owls Are There?

Updated: Jul 31, 2023


owl flying through the air

There are around 200 species of owls in the world. Owls are found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and they are distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Some of the most well-known species of owls include the barn owl, the snowy owl, and the great horned owl. Owls are interesting and unique birds, with many different adaptations that allow them to live and thrive in a variety of environments.Owls are fascinating birds with many interesting and unique characteristics. Here are 10 interesting facts about owls:

Fact #1: Owls have excellent vision and can see in low light conditions, which helps them to hunt at night.


Fact #2: Owls have excellent hearing and can locate their prey by sound. Some species of owls can even hear prey moving underground.

owl flying towards you.

Fact #3: Owls have feathers that are adapted for silent flight, which helps them to sneak up on their prey without being detected.


Fact #4: Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees, which allows them to have a wide range of vision and to locate prey from any direction.

Owl standing in a meadow of yellow flowers

Fact #5: Owls have asymmetrical ears, which helps them to locate prey by sound. The ears are positioned at different heights on the owl's head, which allows them to determine the vertical position of their prey.


Fact #6: Owls are carnivorous and typically hunt small mammals, birds, and insects. Some species of owls are skilled hunters and can capture prey much larger than themselves.

Two owls standing on a log post

Fact #7: Owls have powerful talons and beaks, which they use to kill and tear apart their prey.


Fact #8: Owls are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they live in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, and deserts.

Owl standing on a log in a snowstorm

Fact #9: Owls are nocturnal, which means that they are active at night and sleep during the day.


Fact #10: Owls are known for their distinctive calls, which are often used to communicate with other owls or to defend their territory.

Owl nesting on a log.

Here are just a few examples of the many different species of owls that exist. Owls are fascinating birds with many unique characteristics and behaviors.

Owl looking at you

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

The barn owl is a medium-sized owl with a distinctive heart-shaped facial disk and long, thin legs. It is found in a wide range of habitats including grasslands, forests, and agricultural areas, and it feeds on small mammals such as mice and rats.


Snowy Owl with bright yellow eyes looking at you

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

The snowy owl is a large, white owl native to the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It has a round head and yellow eyes, and it feeds on a variety of prey including small mammals and birds.


Great Horned Owl against a blurred brown background

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl with prominent ear tufts and a distinctive "hoot" call. It is found in a wide range of habitats including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and it feeds on a variety of prey including small mammals, birds, and reptiles.


Burrowing Owl standing in grass

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

The burrowing owl is a small, long-legged owl that is named for its habit of nesting in burrows dug by other animals. It is found in grassland and desert habitats in the Americas, and it feeds on insects, small mammals, and birds.


Eurasian Eagle-Owl standing on a branch

Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)

The Eurasian eagle-owl is a large owl with a distinctive "hoo-hoo-hoo" call. It is found in a wide range of habitats across Europe and Asia, and it feeds on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.


Spotted Owl sitting on a branch

Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)

The spotted owl is a medium-sized owl with mottled brown plumage and a distinctive "whoo-whoo-whoo" call. It is found in old-growth forests in the western United States and Canada, and it feeds on small mammals such as rodents and rabbits.



Long-Eared Owl camouflage in trees

Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus)

The long-eared owl is a medium-sized owl with long ear tufts and a distinctive "hoo-hoo-hoo" call. It is found in a wide range of habitats including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and it feeds on small mammals such as mice and voles.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl standing in evergreens

Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

The northern saw-whet owl is a small owl with a distinctive "toot" call. It is found in forests in North America, and it feeds on small mammals such as mice and voles.


Western Screech-Owl perched on a glove

Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)

The western screech-owl and the eastern screech-owl are small owls with distinctive "whinnying" calls. The western screech-owl is found in western North America, and the eastern screech-owl is found in eastern North America. Both species feed on small mammals, birds, and insects.


Barred Owl sitting o a mossy tree

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

The barred owl is a medium-sized owl with distinctive vertical barring on its chest and a distinctive "who-cooks-for-you" call. It is found in a wide range of habitats including forests, swamps, and urban areas, and it feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects.


Tawny Owl standning on a branch

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

The tawny owl is a medium-sized owl with reddish-brown plumage and a distinctive "hoo-hoo" call. It is found in a wide range of habitats including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and it feeds on small mammals such as mice and voles.


Boreal Owl sitting on a branch

Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus)

The boreal owl is a small owl with a distinctive "hoo-hoo" call. It is found in coniferous forests in North America and Eurasia, and it feeds on small mammals such as voles and shrews.


Great Grey Owl sitting staring off into the distance

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)

The great grey owl is a large owl with a distinctive "whoo-whoo-whoo" call. It is found in forests in North America and Eurasia, and it feeds on small mammals such as voles and lemmings.

How Many Species Of Owls Are There?

There are around 200 species of owls.

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