Owls are mysterious and captivating birds that have fascinated humans for millennia. With over 250 species found worldwide, owls demonstrate incredible diversity in size, coloration, habitat, and behaviors. From tiny elf owls to large eagle owls, this ancient bird family contains species adapted to environments ranging from dense forests to open deserts. Join us on an A-Z journey to learn about 236 of the world’s owl species! Discover unique adaptations, vocalizations, and conservation status about these nocturnal raptors.
A Guide to the World’s Owls
Owls belong to the order Strigiformes and the family Strigidae. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. Owls possess a number of specialized adaptations that aid their nocturnal hunting lifestyle, including forward-facing eyes, exceptional hearing, silent flight feathers, and more. While owls were once grouped into typical categories like barn owls and true owls, modern taxonomy divdes owls into two families:
Tytonidae – Barn & Bay Owls: Contains only two extant genera with 17 species. Characterized by heart-shaped faces and slender bodies.
Strigidae – True Owls: A more diverse family with over 225 species. Ranges greatly in size and shape with different feather tufts.
This A-Z owl guide will focus on 236 species across both families. From the tiny elf owl to the large Blakiston’s fish owl, read on to learn about these avian wonders of the night!
Owls A-Z
African Barred Owlet
Scientific Name: Glaucidium capense
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The African barred owlet is a small owl native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It has brown upperparts barred with white and a pale buff underside. It has a rounded head with no ear tufts. One of Africa’s most common owls, it inhabits woodlands and hunts insects, scorpions, and small vertebrates.
African Grass Owl
Scientific Name: Tyto capensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
As the name suggests, the African grass owl makes its home in areas of tall grass and marshes across Sub-Saharan Africa. It has long legs and wings for hunting rodents in vegetation. Its cryptic reddish-brown plumage provides camouflage.
African Wood Owl
Scientific Name: Strix woodfordii
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The African wood owl is a medium-sized reddish-brown owl found in sub-Saharan Africa. As its name indicates, it is found in forest and woodland habitats. It feeds on small mammals, birds, amphibians, and insects.
Akun Eagle Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo leucostictus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Endemic to parts of east Asia, this mid-sized eagle owl sports prominent ear tufts and reddish-brown plumage peppered with white speckles. It inhabits forested areas where it hunts rodents and other small vertebrates.
Albertine Owlet
Scientific Name: Glaucidium albertinum
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The tiny Albertine owlet is found in central Africa, residing in mountainous forest habitats. It preys on insects and other small invertebrates. Both the male and female defend their territory with a range of vocalizations.
Andaman Hawk-Owl
Scientific Name: Ninox affinis
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Found only on the Andaman Islands, this reddish-brown owl has a heavily streaked breast. It inhabits rainforests and scrubs where it hunts rodents and birds. Habitat loss puts this endemic owl at risk.
Andaman Masked Owl
Scientific Name: Tyto deroepstorffi
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
The Andaman masked owl is a barn owl endemic to the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. With dark eyes and no ear tufts, this owl’s populations are threatened by deforestation across its limited range.
Andean Pygmy Owl
Scientific Name: Glaucidium jardinii
Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of the smallest owls in South America, the Andean pygmy owl grows only about 15 cm long. It can be found in the Andes mountains up to 4600 m. This diurnal owl feeds mainly on insects but also takes amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.
Arabian Scops Owl
Scientific Name: Otus pamelae
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Arabian scops owl is found across the Arabian Peninsula and parts of northeast Africa. It makes its home in rocky deserts and dry scrublands. Its cryptic brown plumage helps provide camouflage against desert rocks.
Ashy-Faced Owl
Scientific Name: Tyto glaucops
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The ashy-faced owl is endemic to Indonesia, where it can be found on islands like Sulawesi and Sumba. It inhabits tropical moist lowland forests. Due to its small range and declining habitat, it is considered near threatened.
Asian Barred Owlet
Scientific Name: Glaucidium cuculoides
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This small owlet has brown upperparts with white barring. Its underside is buffy white with brown streaks. It inhabits forests across south and southeast Asia. Rodents and insects make up the bulk of its diet.
Australian Masked Owl
Scientific Name: Tyto novaehollandiae
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Found across Australia, this barn owl has dark eyes and a heart-shaped facial disk. It inhabits woodlands and forest edges where it hunts mammals, birds, and insects. The Australian masked owl fills an important niche as the continent’s largest owl species.
Balsas Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops seductus
Conservation Status: Endangered
This rare screech owl is found only in parts of Mexico. It prefers tropical deciduous forest habitat. Due to significant declines from deforestation, it is listed as endangered with under 250 mature individuals remaining.
Bare-Legged Owl
Scientific Name: Margarobyas lawrencii
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The bare-legged owl lives up to its name with entirely featherless legs. Endemic to Cuba, this mid-sized owl makes its home in various wooded habitats. It is listed as Cuba’s national bird.
Bare-Shanked Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops clarkii
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Found in Mexico and Central America, the bare-shanked screech owl inhabits lowland broadleaf and pine-oak forests. It feeds on large insects, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. As the name indicates, this owl lacks feathers on its legs.
Barred Owl
Scientific Name: Strix varia
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The barred owl inhabits mature forests across much of eastern North America. It has brown vertical barring on its chest and horizontal barring on its belly. Its distinctive call, which sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” helps this owl find mates and defend territories.
Bearded Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops barbarus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This Neotropical owl gets its name from the pale, drooping feathers on its chin that resemble a beard. It inhabits tropical lowland forests from Mexico to Amazonian Brazil. Its cryptic plumage and nocturnal habits help it ambush small prey.
Berkut Eagle Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo hemachalanus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Also called the Himalayan eagle owl, this species is found across parts of Central Asia. It favors rocky hills and mountain cliffs. A large and powerful owl, it can take prey as sizable as foxes and young deer.
Black Scrub Owl
Scientific Name: Strix atricapilla
Conservation Status: Least Concern
A small owl endemic to Cuba, the black scrub owl inhabits thick, humid forests. It has chocolate brown plumage and a grey facial disk. It feeds mostly on insects like beetles and crickets.
Black-And-White Owl
Scientific Name: Strix nigrolineata
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This owl lives up to its name with distinct black and white plumage. It resides from Costa Rica to northern Argentina. Found in humid montane forests, it hunts mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians under the cover of night.
Blackish Owl
Scientific Name: Strix albitarsus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The blackish owl is distributed across much of east and southeast Asia. As a forest owl, it resides in tropical and temperate forests. Its plumage varies regionally from dark brown to nearly black. It preys on rodents, birds, bats, and large insects.
Boreal Owl
Scientific Name: Aegolius funereus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The boreal owl is a small yet fierce predator of North American boreal forests. It has large yellow eyes and plumage that varies from brown to gray. This nocturnal hunter feeds mainly on small rodents like voles captured in ambush attacks.
Brahminy Masked Owl
Scientific Name: Tyto alba javanica
Conservation Status: Least Concern
A barn owl subspecies found in parts of India and Southeast Asia. It has rich reddish-brown plumage with small black speckles. This subspecies is larger and darker than others in its widespread species.
British Short-Eared Owl
Scientific Name: Asio flammeus flammeus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This medium-sized owl has buff and brown streaked plumage that provides camouflage in open country. Found breeding in the UK, but migrates south in winter. Voles comprise the majority of its diet during the breeding season.
Brown Fish Owl
Scientific Name: Ketupa zeylonensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The brown fish owl is found across southern and southeast Asia in wooded habitats near water sources. As a fish specialist, it hunts for freshwater prey along rivers and lakes. It has powerful talons and can take fish up to 5 kg!
Brown Hawk Owl
Scientific Name: Ninox scutulata
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This reddish-brown, long-tailed hawk owl inhabits forests across Australia and New Guinea. Almost exclusively nocturnal, it uses its acute hearing to hunt insects, small mammals, and birds. Sometimes called the boobook owl for its two-tone call.
Brown Wood Owl
Scientific Name: Strix leptogrammica
Conservation Status: Least Concern
As the name reveals, the brown wood owl lives in wooded habitats from the eastern Himalayas to southeast Asia. It eats mostly insects and small mammals. When threatened, this owl elongates its plumage to appear thinner.
Buff-Fronted Owl
Scientific Name: Aegolius harrisii
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This small owl of South America has yellow eyes and brown streaked plumage with buffy orange on its forehead and chest. It inhabits temperate forests where it employs a sit-and-wait hunting strategy to ambush prey.
Burrowing Owl
Scientific Name: Athene cunicularia
Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of the most distinctive American owls, the burrowing owl lives in open grasslands. As a cavity nester, it occupies abandoned burrows dug by prairie dogs or ground squirrels. Its diet consists mainly of insects and small rodents.
Bushveld Eagle Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo lacteus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The bushveld eagle owl inhabits savanna and open woodlands in southern Africa. A large, powerful owl, it can tackle big prey like hares and juvenile antelope. Its booming calls can carry for several kilometers.
California Spotted Owl
Scientific Name: Strix occidentalis occidentalis
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
A subspecies of spotted owl, the California population is found in coniferous forests along the state’s coast. It is threatened by habitat loss and competition with the barred owl. Conservation efforts focus on protecting its old growth habitat.
Cape Eagle Owl
Scientific Name: Bubo capensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This large, reddish-brown owl is endemic to South Africa. As an apex nocturnal predator, it feeds readily on mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. It thrives in rocky areas and likes to roost in caves and crevices.
Cape Owl
Scientific Name: Tyto capensis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Cape owl is endemic to coastal regions and mountains of South Africa. A barn owl, it has heart-shaped facial disks and dark eyes. This nocturnal hunter feeds mostly on rodents like mice and rats.
Central American Pygmy Owl
Scientific Name: Glaucidium griseiceps
Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of the smallest owls in the world, this rainforest species grows under 12 cm long. Found from Mexico to Panama, it feeds on insects, lizards, and tiny mammals. It is not much bigger than a sparrow.
Chestnut-Bellied Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops anthonyi
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This Neotropical screech owl is named for the rich chestnut coloration on its underparts. Found in lowland areas from Mexico to Brazil, it hunts large insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Chestnut Owlet
Scientific Name: Glaucidium castaneum
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The chestnut owlet is a tiny and aptly named owl found across parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It has beautiful reddish-brown upperparts and barred underparts. Its small prey includes beetles, moths, locusts, and termites.
Chocolate Boobook
Scientific Name: Ninox randi
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The chocolate boobook is endemic to Indonesia, found on islands like Sulawesi. As the name suggests, its plumage is a rich chocolate brown. It inhabits rainforest and eucalyptus groves up to 1,400 m elevation.
Christmas Island Hawk Owl
Scientific Name: Ninox natalis
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
This dark brown hawk owl is endemic to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. With less than 100 mature individuals remaining, it is critically endangered due to habitat loss and invasive predators.
Cinnaon Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops petersoni
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Named for its reddish-brown plumage, the cinnamon screech owl is found along the Pacific slope of Mexico. It inhabits pine-oak forests and wooded canyons. Rodents and large insects make up the bulk of its diet.
Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl
Scientific Name: Glaucidium nubicola
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This tiny owl measuring under 15 cm inhabits humid montane forests from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Its mossy green plumage provides excellent camouflage. It subsists mostly on insects like moths and beetles.
Collared Owlet
Scientific Name: Glaucidium brodiei
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Found across sub-Saharan Africa, the collared owlet has brown upperparts and heavy white spotting on its head and neck. It inhabits forest and dense woodland. Despite its small size, it tackles prey as large as bats and jirds.
Collared Scops Owl
Scientific Name: Otus lettia
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This small owl has ear tufts, yellow eyes, and brown plumage. Found in South and Southeast Asia, it makes its home in the dense understory of forest habitats. It feeds on insects like beetles, but also takes small vertebrates.
Costa Rican Pygmy Owl
Scientific Name: Glaucidium costaricanum
Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of the smallest owls, this rainforest species inhabits Costa Rica and western Panama. Adults reach less than 15 cm long. It hunts insects, small frogs, and lizards within dense forest understory vegetation.
Crested Owl
Scientific Name: Lophostrix cristata
Conservation Status: Least Concern
This elegant owl has long ear tufts, yellow