Best Owl

Among North America's smallest owls, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is a nocturnal member of the Strigidae family associated with forested habitats. Its compact body and rounded head make it visually distinct from larger forest owls. It occurs widely in Canada and the United States, including northern fo...

A broad facial disc and long, heavily feathered body give the Great Grey Owl, Strix nebulosa, its imposing appearance. This large northern species inhabits boreal forest regions across North America and Eurasia. Its face helps direct sound toward the ears, supporting the detection of prey that may b...

The Blakiston’s Fish Owl is a large owl species native to coastal regions of Russia and Japan. It's notable as the largest living owl, utilizing its size and specialized hunting techniques to capture fish from rivers and lakes. Conservation efforts focus on this endangered bird of prey, primarily be...

The White-faced Scops Owl is a small, nocturnal bird of prey native to the savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. It features a distinctive white facial disk, prominent ear tufts, and mottled gray and brown plumage that provides effective camouflage against tree bark. This species feeds prima...

Long legs and a ground-level nest distinguish the Burrowing Owl from many tree-nesting owls. This small member of the Strigidae family lives in open habitats across the Americas, including grasslands and shrublands. It uses burrows for shelter and breeding, often occupying holes made by other animal...

The Northern White-faced Owl is a diminutive owl species native to sub-Saharan Africa. It’s notable for being one of the smallest scops owls found in this region. Primarily inhabiting savannas and dry woodlands, it's studied by ornithologists and wildlife researchers interested in African raptors an...

With a broad, sharply outlined facial disc and small ear-like feather tufts, the Oriental Bay Owl has an appearance distinct from many familiar forest owls. Its scientific name is Phodilus badius, and it belongs to the barn owl family, Tytonidae. Found in tropical Asian forests, including Southeast...

The Crested Owl, *Lophostrix cristata*, is a nocturnal bird of prey found in Central American forests. It’s notable for its prominent tufted feathers above the eyes, a characteristic that aids in species recognition. Primarily inhabiting wooded areas, it's studied by ornithologists and wildlife rese...

The Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae), also known in Māori as the Ruru, is a small brown owl endemic to New Zealand. It is the country's only surviving native owl species and belongs to the family Strigidae. The common name derives from its distinctive two-syllable call. It is nocturnal and inhabits...

The Northern Hawk Owl is a striking owl species inhabiting northern forested regions of North America and Eurasia. It stands out due to its diurnal hunting habits—actively seeking prey during daylight hours—and distinctive falcon-like flight style. This bird of prey, scientifically known as *Surnia*...

The Long-whiskered Owlet is a remarkably small and unusual owl native to Peru. Its most notable feature are the exceptionally elongated feathers projecting from its face, resembling whiskers. *Xenoglaux* species belong to the Strigidae family – commonly known as true owls. This unique morphology aid...

The Spectacled Owl, *Pulsatrix perspicillata*, is a sizable nocturnal bird of prey found in Neotropical rainforests. Its distinctive facial markings – prominent white feathers around the eyes – provide immediate identification. This owl is notable for its role as an apex predator within its ecosyste...

The Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl is a massive African owl belonging to the Strigidae family. It's notable for being the continent’s largest owl species and possesses distinctive pink eyelids. Primarily found in savanna habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, it preys on small mammals like rodents and hedgehogs....

The Sooty Owl is a nocturnal bird of prey belonging to the genus *Tyto*. It’s notable for its distinctive dark plumage found across eastern Australia and New Guinea. Primarily a forest dweller, this owl utilizes its exceptional hearing and vision to hunt small mammals and invertebrates. It is partic...

The elf owl is a diminutive North American owl belonging to the Strigidae family. It’s notable as the smallest owl species globally, weighing less than six ounces. Primarily found in arid desert habitats of the southwestern United States and Mexico, it utilizes cavities like old woodpecker holes for...

The Principe Scops Owl is a small owl species endemic to Príncipe Island in the Gulf of Guinea nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. It was scientifically described as a new species in 2022, making it one of the most recently described bird species globally. The species inhabits native forest on the isla...

The Laughing Owl was a unique owl species native to several islands of New Zealand belonging to the Strigidae family, specifically *Sceloglaux* owls. It is notable for its extremely unusual and loud vocalizations – described as a “laughing” sound – which were unlike any other known owl call. Sadly,...

The Madagascar Red Owl is a distinctive barn owl species found exclusively on the island of Madagascar. Its striking reddish-orange feathers differentiate it from other owl types and make it a notable example of avian endemism. Primarily inhabiting dense rainforests, this rare bird is studied by orn...

The Rock Eagle-Owl, *Bubo bengalensis*, is a sizable nocturnal bird of prey inhabiting rocky areas of South Asia. Once considered a subspecies of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, it’s now recognized as a distinct species within the Strigidae family. This owl is notable for its impressive size and hunting hab...

The Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) is a small, elusive, forest-dwelling bird of prey endemic to the island nation of Sri Lanka. It is scientifically notable as the first newly discovered bird species identified on the island since 1868, formally described in 2004 by ornithologists. The owl...

The Powerful Owl is a large nocturnal bird of prey belonging to the Strigidae family. It’s notable for its significant size – the largest owl found in Australia – and its specialized diet consisting primarily of arboreal mammals such as possums and gliders. These owls inhabit dense Australian forest...

The Forest Eagle-Owl is a very large raptor native to the tropical forests of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, noted for its deep, resonant double-note call.

The tawny owl is a medium-sized forest owl belonging to the Strigidae family. It’s notable for being widespread across Europe and parts of Asia, adapting well to diverse habitats. Primarily nocturnal, this wood-owl relies on silent flight and keen hearing to hunt small mammals and rodents. It's freq...

The Sri Lanka Bay Owl is a small owl belonging to the genus *Tyto* found exclusively in the island nation of Sri Lanka. It’s notable as one of the rarest owls globally and a key indicator species for forest conservation efforts. Primarily nocturnal, it inhabits dense, primary forests where it hunts...

The Masked Owl, *Tyto novaehollandiae*, is a substantial nocturnal bird of prey native to Australia’s forests and woodlands. It represents one of the largest species within the Tytonidae family, exhibiting significant size differences between males and females. Primarily hunting rodents, this owl pl...

The Fearful Owl is a unique owl species found only on the islands of the Solomon Islands. It belongs to the Strigidae family, also known as true owls. This bird is notable due to its large size and specialized diet focused on northern common cuscus. The Nesasio owl’s restricted range makes it partic...

The Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl is a sizable owl species found in Himalayan and Southeast Asian forests. It’s notable for distinctive horizontal markings on its underside, aiding identification. This large strigid predator primarily hunts rodents and small mammals. Ornithologists, researchers studying av...

The Barred Owl is a medium-sized nocturnal bird of prey belonging to the Strigidae family, commonly known as wood-owls. Native to eastern North America, it’s notable for its prominent barring on its chest and characteristic rhythmic hooting used in communication. These owls are frequently found in f...

Scotopelia peli, commonly known as Pel’s Fishing Owl, is a large owl species native to sub-Saharan Africa. It's distinguished by its lack of ear tufts and uniquely adapted bare legs for capturing fish in shallow water habitats like rivers and streams. This specialized hunting behavior makes it an im...