Strigidae bird family

Order Strigiformes · 23 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Australian BoobookNinox boobookSmall brownish owl with dark ‘glasses’ surrounding eyes. Plumage and size varies depending on region with some subspecies exhibiting much darker plumage than others. Fairly common in a wide variety of habitats. Similar to Morepork, and range overlaps in winter in southern Victoria; Southern Boobook is larger, lighter, and has less extensive spotting. Call is a familiar ‘boo-book’ with the second note lower pitched than the first, lower and rougher-sounding than Morepork.

Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaSmall, long-legged owl of open grassy habitats. Appears brown at a distance with irregular white spotting. Yellow eyes. Typically found on the ground or perched on low fence posts or rocks. Active during day and night when it hunts mainly for insects and small mammals. When agitated, it stands erect and abruptly bows down. Nests in a burrow, often dug by a prairie dog or tortoise.

Cloud-forest Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium nubicolaSmall owl, active during the day and night. Very similar in plumage to other pygmy-owls; note elevation within very limited range in western Ecuador and Colombia. Found at higher elevations than Central American Pygmy-Owl and lower elevations than Andean Pygmy-Owl. Overall brown to rufous with white stripes on belly and small white spots on crown. Sexes alike. Quite rare. Found singly or in pairs in montane forests. Listen for doubled notes given on an even pitch.

Crested OwlLophostrix cristataUncommon but unmistakable. Large spectacular owl of humid evergreen forest in tropical lowlands and foothills. Often roosts in pairs at low levels inside the forest, sometimes in rather open situations. Roosting birds often hold their long, bushy white eyebrows flattened, but raise them when alert. At night, favors dense forest canopy. Calling birds can be very difficult to locate. Call is a short, throaty, intensifying growl, typically repeated every 5–10 seconds.

Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asioSmall, stocky owl with large head and no neck. Pointed ear tufts are often raised. Varies in color from gray to bright rufous (reddish-brown). Intricate pattern is perfect for camouflage against tree bark. Yellow eyes. Active at night when they prey on small birds and mammals. More often heard than seen; listen for its descending whinny and longer trill. Roosts and nests in cavities, including nest boxes. Found in a variety of habitats with trees, particularly near water.

Elf OwlMicrathene whitneyiOne of the smallest owls in the world, about the size of a sparrow. Patterned with rufous, gray, and white. Most similar in plumage to Flammulated Owl, but note the Elf Owl's white eyebrows, yellow eyes, tiny size, and habitat. Found in brushy woodlands and surrounding desert, where they nest in natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes in trees and cacti. Nocturnal; most easily found by listening for call around dusk: a descending whiny chuckle or single mewing note. Migrates south to Mexico for the winter.

Eurasian Eagle-OwlBubo buboVery large and powerful owl with obvious ear tufts, deep orange eyes, and finely streaked pale buffy underparts. Active mainly at night, but can be seen perched up on prominent lookouts at dusk, searching for prey. Can be found roosting during the day in shady canopy or caves. Pairs often duet, with the male giving a deep, resounding hoot and the female giving a hoarser, higher-pitched one. Inhabits a wide range of habitats, from forests to rocky canyons, but generally abundant nowhere.

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusLarge and widespread owl with distinctive ear tufts. Found in a variety of habitats from dense woods to prairie and deserts with at least some trees. Also, found in wooded towns and suburbs. Typically well-camouflaged dark brown overall, but varies in color. Often engages in haunting duets, with males and females hooting back and forth. Preys upon a variety of animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles.

Little OwlAthene noctuaSmall owl of fairly open country, such as farmland with hedges and scattered trees, orchards, open woodland, and quarries. Distinctive, with white-spotted upperparts. Staring yellow eyes and white brows, together with frequently upright stance, often create alert appearance. Nests in cavities in trees and rocks. Sometimes active by day, perching quietly on posts or rocks, but mainly active dusk to dawn. Flight low and undulating. Vocalizations are comprised of a range of endearing squeaks and high-pitched hoots.

Long-eared OwlAsio otusMedium-sized, rather slender owl with long "ear" tufts. Extensive range across Northern Hemisphere. North American birds are rather dark and coarsely marked, with pumpkin-colored face patches and yellow eyes. Eurasian populations are paler overall, especially on the face, and have reddish eyes. Strictly nocturnal; rarely seen foraging at dusk and dawn. Found in areas with a mix of dense cover for roosting, such as brushy thickets or conifer groves, and open spaces for hunting. Generally uncommon to rare and seldom-seen, but can gather in communal winter roosts with dozens of individuals (if you're lucky enough to find a roost, do not disturb the birds). Compare with Short-eared Owl. Typical vocalization is a single low “woop” repeated every few seconds; also gives a wide range of maniacal catlike screeches and doglike barks.

Long-whiskered OwletXenoglaux loweryiTiny owl known only from a small area in the eastern Andes of northern Peru. The long plumes around its eyes and bill are unique among owls. Other features include white eyebrows, a buffy face, and amber eyes. The first part of its scientific name appropriately translates into “strange owl,” and until 2002 this bird was almost unknown in life. Since then, several reserves have been established that provide access to the stunted cloud forest that it inhabits. Its easily overlooked song is a soft, burry whistle repeated every few seconds.

MoreporkNinox novaeseelandiaeSmall endemic owl widespread throughout forested areas, both native and exotic, of New Zealand. Uncommon in drier eastern areas. Nocturnal and roosts during day in dense vegetation, particularly in tree ferns. Small birds mobbing them as they roost can give away their day-time location. Mostly heard at night via their distinct double hoot call of 'more-pork'. Other calls are a monotonous 'more' or a rising 'quee' call, often given whilst hunting. Minimal overlap with introduced Little Owl, but differentiated by darker colouration, larger head, as well as longer tail. Note, rising 'quee' call can be mistaken for kiwi calls.

Northern Hawk OwlSurnia ululaUnique medium-sized owl of the boreal forest. Remarkably long-tailed for an owl; reminiscent of a small hawk in flight with quick, snappy wingbeats. Pale eyes give it an angry look. Brownish overall with white spotting above, barred underparts, and spotted crown. Feeds on small rodents by sight and sound. Often seen perched on the very top of a spruce tree or snag, surveying the surrounding landscape for prey. When rodent populations crash, large numbers of Northern Hawk Owls can move south of their normal range.

Northern Hawk OwlSurnia ululaUnique medium-sized owl of the boreal forest. Remarkably long-tailed for an owl; reminiscent of a small hawk in flight with quick, snappy wingbeats. Pale eyes give it an angry look. Brownish overall with white spotting above, barred underparts, and spotted crown. Feeds on small rodents by sight and sound. Often seen perched on the very top of a spruce tree or snag, surveying the surrounding landscape for prey. When rodent populations crash, large numbers of Northern Hawk Owls can move south of their normal range.

Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusPint-sized owl of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; found in northern forests and western mountains. Prefers areas with conifers and thick understory. Fairly common, but shy and difficult to see. Patterned with brown and white overall, with streaked white forehead and blotchy rusty-brown streaks below. No ear tufts. Migratory, but numbers of migrants fluctuate greatly from year to year. Named for its loud, repetitive whistles that sound like a saw being whetted (sharpened). Also gives a harsher, rising screech. Most similar to less common Boreal Owl. Saw-whet is smaller with streaks (not spots) on forehead and richer orange-brown streaks on underparts.

Philippine Scops-OwlOtus megalotisA medium-sized owl of lowland and foothill forest and edge. One of the largest scops-owls. Both grayish and rufous forms occur. The grayish form has a dark brown back with a pale mark behind the shoulder, barred wing feathers, pale grayish underparts with black markings, a pale gray facial disk bordered with a black line, and pale ear tufts forming a V. The rufous form tends to have less patterning. Overlaps geographically with Luzon Scops-Owl, but Philippine is larger and usually found at lower elevation. Voice includes a downslurred whistle “wiuuu,” a slow descending series “kwok kwok kwok,” and a high-pitched hiss.

Rufous Fishing-OwlScotopelia ussheriA round-headed, tawny-cinnamon fishing-owl with lightly streaked underparts and a dark beak with a yellow base. It is shy, and its day roosts are well hidden in tangles and thickets along rivers in lowland primary, swamp, and flooded forests. The call is a low dove-like “ooooo” that can be confused with the call of the nocturnal White-crested Tiger-Heron. The similar Pel’s Fishing-Owl is larger and rustier, especially on the underparts, and is covered in spots, bars, and chevrons, not streaks. Vermiculated Fishing-Owl has an entirely yellow bill and its underparts are more heavily streaked.

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusMedium-sized owl, more frequently seen in the daytime than other owls. Especially active around dawn and dusk, when it flies lazily over open fields or marshes in search of small mammals. Varies across a wide range, with Galapagos birds being the darkest. Brown overall, palest on belly, with streaks and spots on wings and chest. Large pale patch near the wingtips easily visible in flight. Rarely heard vocalizing away from breeding grounds, where it makes a low series of hoots and a variety of harsh barking noises.

Snowy OwlBubo scandiacusOtherworldly beautiful large owl. White with a variable amount of black markings; old males are the whitest, while immature females have the densest dark patterning. Breeds on the Arctic tundra and winters in northern Eurasia and North America, where it favors expansive open habitats. Often encountered on lakeshores and in coastal areas with fields, marshes, piers, and sand dunes. Irruptive, moving considerably south of the usual wintering range some years.

Spotted OwlStrix occidentalisMedium-sized owl typically found in mountainous regions with mixed conifers and oaks. Overall brown with bold white spots on belly and back. Black eyes, unlike most other owls; main confusion species is Barred Owl. Spotted is well-named, with much more obvious spots on chest and belly than Barred Owl, and lacks distinct vertical stripes. Also note voice: one hoot, followed by a pair of hoots, followed by a final single hoot. Two separate populations: birds along the Pacific coast and the Sierra Nevada average darker, richer brown than birds further south and inland.

Tawny OwlStrix alucoMedium-sized owl with deep black eyes; strictly nocturnal and infrequently seen. Brown to gray overall with a big rounded head. Favors woodland, forest, parkland, urban areas and churchyards with large trees; tends to roost well hidden in foliage during the day, when may be detected by tracking down the excited sounds of small birds mobbing the owl. Comes out at night to hunt in clearings and more open areas. Most often detected by its quavering hoots and "kee-wik!" shrieks, given at night.

Ural OwlStrix uralensisVery large and rather plain owl with small dark eyes and no ear tufts. Note bright yellow bill, extensive streaking on the breast and back, and broad-banded wing feathers. Ranges from very pale gray to dark brown. Active at night, when often hunts at forest edge and around clearings in northern coniferous and mixed forests. Pairs duet; males give deep, resonating hoots and females give higher, hoarser notes. Larger and longer-tailed than Tawny Owl, which occurs mainly in milder and more southern habitats. Great Gray Owl appears longer-bodied, is more mottled, and has beady yellow eyes.

Verreaux's Eagle-OwlKetupa lacteaAn enormous, grayish owl with dark stripes framing the face. It has a pale,-horn-colored beak and large, dark eyes that are set off by weird and diagnostic fleshy-pink eyelids. Occurs from arid savanna to mesic woodland to riverine forest; prefers areas with some tall trees for breeding and roosting. Hunts medium-sized mammals; has been known to kill competitors, such as Pel’s Fishing-Owl. Its call, a deep guttural grunting “unngh-unngh”, is diagnostic.