237 Types of Owls (A-Z List of Owl Species)

Owls. Intriguing creatures have long been the focus of fascination and mystery for many people. They’re a diverse group of birds, both in terms of behavior and looks.

However, despite our familiarity with these creatures, there are still some pretty fascinating facts about owls that remain largely unknown to the average person. 

In this article, we’ll be sharing some little-known facts about owls, particularly about the types of owls in existence. We’ll compare types of owls with each other, and take a look at the differences.

What Are the Different Types of Owls?

There are many types of owls with different types of personality traits, types of food preferences, types of homes, and types of noises that the owl makes. 

Let’s take a closer look at the basic types of owls together with the different owl species in each type.

Trait	Tytonidae	Strigidae
Distribution	Mostly tropical regions	All continents except Antarctica
Habitats	Forests, open woodland areas, and open grasslands	All habitats, from deserts to arctic tundras
Feeding habits	Smaller of stature and hence feeds on rodents and small prey[2]	Small species feed on rodents, while big species can feed on large birds and medium-sized mammals[3]

Tytonidae Owls

Owls belonging to the Tytonidae family typically share a few characteristics: they have heart-shaped facial disks, their bills are compressed, and they are smaller than Strigidae owls.^[4]

Some of the most common Tytonidae owls include the Common Barn owls, Sooty owls, and Masked owls.

Read about three different types of Tytonidae owls below.

African Grass-Owl (Tyto Capensis)

This species of barn owl mainly has dark brown upper parts and chest, with white spotting on its belly. It makes nests out of the grass in the sand, which it lines with feathers to make them comfortable for its young.^[5]

Like most owls, this species is typically nocturnal. During the day, they rest in vegetation or empty holes that have been abandoned by other animals.

They are able to sit still for very long periods of time, which helps them avoid detection by predators. This species of owl is a carnivore and will eat most types of small rodents, lizards, snakes, and insects.

Ashy-Faced Owl (Tyto Glaucops)

There is only one type of Ashy-Faced Owl (Tyto Glaucops), and it inhabits South America, specifically Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

This species exclusively roosts in holes or crevices on trees and cliffs during the day but becomes nocturnal once it gets dark.^[6]

Ashy-faced owls are also extremely secretive and only hunts for food under the cover of darkness, so very little research has been done on this particular owl. However, it is known that they travel in pairs and use a “hoot” call to communicate with each other.

Australian Masked-Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae)

The Australian Masked-Owl is a medium-sized owl, with many types and variations. They are widely represented throughout the wide range of Eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Some types of owls have different colorations, patterns, and/or designs on their feathers that distinguish them from other types of masked owls. Typically, these owls have brown and white markings.

They also have a unique marking that is typical for barn owls: the “mask” across their eyes and face.

Strigidae Owls

Being the biggest family of owls, the Strigidae family is made up of about 225 true owls, found all over the world. They’re known for their ability to turn their heads 270 degrees, as well as their hunting capabilities.

Here are a few of the most common characteristics of Strigidae Owls:

• Round faces with short bills
• Broad, rounded, medium-length wings
• Strong feet with long talons for catching prey
• Females are generally larger than males

List of Strigidae Owls​​

Read about three different Strigidae owls below.

African Barred Owlet (Glaucidium Capense)

The African Barred Owlet (Glaucidium Capense) is a nocturnal bird of prey whose native habitat includes the west coast of Africa, from Angola to Namibia. 

This can be seen in evergreen or deciduous forests, especially near water^[6]. It has also been known as the Cape Scops Owl.

The African Barred Owlet is a small owl (hence the name), measuring about 13.5-14.5 inches from head to tail and weighing around 10 ounces. It has two white spots on each of its wings, as well as narrow black bars on the tips of its tail feathers. Its eyes are large, round, and yellow.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

This species can be found in a wide variety of habitats with large trees for nesting, including deserts, forests, and temperate grasslands.

Being the biggest owls, they often take on large prey as well. They can often be seen feeding on large birds, such as osprey, or even medium-sized mammals such as foxes.^[7]

Short-Eared Owl (Asio Flammeus)

The Short-Eared Owl is a medium-sized owl native to the Northern Hemisphere, specifically Europe, Asia, and North America. It’s one of the most widespread owl species.

This owl can be found in grasslands where it hunts small mammals like rabbits and mice during the day. They are migratory birds, meaning they migrate seasonally due to changes in climate.

The short-eared owl mostly feeds on small prey, but they have been known to feed on larger animals including young rabbits, rats, squirrels, mice, ducks, and even small reptiles. 

The Largest Type of Owl

Blakiston’s fish owl is found in very specific habitats around the world. It nests in riparian forests where it nests in old, dead trees. It’s placed on the endangered species list.

Native to Asia, they can be seen in both Russia, China, and Hokkaido in Japan. They are very adaptable to their surroundings and have been known to migrate when necessary.

Related: The 5 Largest Owl Species

The Smallest Type of Owl

Elf owls don’t like to be around humans or other animals. They perceive most creatures as predators. Due to their small size, they like to hunt smaller insects, lizards, and rodents. 

The elf owl is only 5-6 inches tall. Its average wingspan for an elf owl is 16 inches.  Their feathers can be reddish-brown, gray, or a mix of the two. 

Even though they’re small, elf owls are very territorial and will attack other animals that approach their nesting area.

The small species live primarily in the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They can be found living as high as 9,843 feet above sea level.

The Strongest Type of Owl

They use their strong feet and large claws to grab a hold of their prey, crushing or choking them.

The Most Common Type of Owl

The barn owl, one of the most widespread birds in the world, can live in almost any habitat. 

As for their appearance, they have heart-shaped faces, large eyes that are placed in front for binocular vision, and are smaller in stature. 

This owl nests in holes in trees or buildings and eats small animals like rats, mice, and bats.

The Least Common Type of Owl

There are only around 3,000 of these birds left in the wild and are hence considered endangered^[8]. Their main predators are foxes, small eagles, and other owls. 

Blakiston’s fish owl is one of two types of fish owls; the other is the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo).

 Blakiston’s fish owl breeds during the winter, and its diet consists of 80% or more salmon and trout. This large aquatic bird will hunt along rivers, ponds, and streams for food.

Types of Owls Depending on Distribution

Owls are found in most places in the world, except Antarctica. They’re adaptable, skilled at hunting animals wherever they live.

Depending on the region, you’ll be able to find different owl species. Here are the most common in different regions of the world.

Owls in North America

Owls in South America

South America is home to 64 species of owls, some native and restricted to the continent. Many of these owls migrate from North America to South America in the winter.

Owls in Europe

Owls in Asia

Asia as a continent is home to owls as well as many other species. There are twenty-three different types of owl in Asia, many of which can only be found on this continent.

Owls in Africa

Owls in Australia