Typical Owls

Typical owls, scientifically known as Strigidae, are a group of owls that belong to the family Strigidae within the order Strigiformes. These owls are characterized by certain features that distinguish them from other owl families. Here are some key characteristics and facts about typical owls: Read in Spanish

Behavior: Typical owls are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night and hunt their prey under the cover of darkness. Their adaptations, such as specialized vision and hearing, help them navigate and hunt effectively in low light conditions.

Facial Disc: Many typical owls have a facial disc, a collection of feathers arranged in a circular pattern around their faces. This facial disc helps funnel sound towards their ears, aiding in locating prey by sound.

Ear Tufts: Some typical owl species have prominent feathered ear tufts on the top of their heads. Contrary to popular belief, these ear tufts do not play a role in hearing but are used for camouflage and communication.

Distinctive Calls: Typical owls are known for their range of vocalizations, including hoots, screeches, whistles, and hisses. These calls serve various purposes, such as defending territory, attracting mates, and communicating with their young.

Variety of Sizes: The size of typical owls varies significantly among species. Some are relatively small, like the Elf Owl which is around 5 inches in length, while others are much larger, such as the Eurasian Eagle Owl which can have a wingspan of over 6 feet.

Habitat and Range: Typical owls are found in a wide range of habitats around the world, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and Arctic tundra. They have adapted to various environments and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Diverse Diet: Typical owls have a diverse diet that includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and even fish. They are skilled hunters with sharp talons and beaks that enable them to catch and kill their prey efficiently.

Nesting Habits: Typical owls typically nest in trees, cliffs, or abandoned nests of other birds. They are known for their parenting behaviors, including the care of their young and the defense of their nesting territory. Typical owls are a diverse group of nocturnal birds of prey with unique adaptations for hunting and survival. Their intriguing characteristics, behaviors, and wide distribution make them fascinating subjects for bird enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Cloudforest Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium nubicola
Spanish Name: Buhito Nubícola

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, wooded areas, and plantations
Height: 1400-2000 m

Photo: © neil bowman iStock/Getty Images Plus

Andean Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium jardinii
Spanish Name: Buhito Andino

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, wooded areas, and plantations.
Height: 2000-3500 m

Photo: © Eduardo Lago V.

Central American Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium griseiceps
Spanish Name: Buhito Cabecigris

Size: 6 in | 14.7 cm
Habitat: Dense tropical forests.
Height: <1500 m

Photo: © Fernando Burgalin Sequeria eBird S59628900 Macaulay Library ML176362741

Subtropical Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium parkeri
Spanish Name: Buhito Subtropical

Size: 6 in | 14.7 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, woodlands, and savannas,
Height: 1200-1800 m

Photo: © Rich Hoyer eBird S25136772 Macaulay Library ML 20189211

Ferruginous Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium brasilianum
Spanish Name: Buhito Ferrugíneo

Size: 6.3 in | 16 cm
Habitat: Forests, scrublands, and open woodlands.
Height: <1200 m

Photo: © fernando Burgalin Sequeria eBird S132649544 Macaulay Library ML564560641

Amazonian Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium hardyi
Spanish Name: Buhito Amazónico

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and shrublands of the Andes mountains.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S47123735 Macaulay Library ML 244324871

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia
Spanish Name: Mochuelo Conejo

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Well-adapted for a ground-dwelling lifestyle and are often found in open areas.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Rafael Cerqueira iStock/Getty Images Plus

Buff-fronted Owl

Aegolius harrisii
Spanish Name: Búho Acanelado

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Dense, humid montane forests with a mix of trees, shrubs, and undergrowth.
Height: 1300-3400 m

Photo: © Fabio Maffei iStock/Getty Images Plus

Stygian Owl

Asia stygius
Spanish Name: Búho Orejudo

Size: 17 in | 43 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, including rainforests, cloud forests, and montane forests.
Height: 400-3000 m

Photo: © Luis Astudillo iStock/Getty Images Plus

Striped Owl

Asia clamator
Spanish Name: Búho Rayado

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: From humid forests to open grasslands and agricultural areas.
Height: <2600 m

Photo: © Jorge Dangel eBird S47181358 Macaulay Library ML 107508511

Short-eared Owl

Asia flammeus
Spanish Name: Búho Campestre

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Open habitats, such as grasslands, marshes, meadows, and tundra regions.
Height: 300-3500 m

Photo: © Devonyu iStock/Getty Images Plus

Tropical Screech-owl

Megascops choliba
Spanish Name: Currucutú

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Tropical rainforests, humid forests, and wooded areas.
Height: <2800 m

Photo: © GlobalP iStock/Getty Images Plus

Bare-shanked Screech-owl

Megascops clarki
Spanish Name: Autillo Manchado

Size: 9.5 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Dense forests with a mix of tall trees and undergrowth
Height: 1400-1500 m

Photo: © Ondrej Prosicky iStock/Getty Images Plus

Rufescent Screech-owl

Megascops ingens
Spanish Name: Autillo Grande

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Dense forests in mountainous regions, often found in areas with thick vegetation and a diverse array of trees and plant species.
Height: 1100-2200 m

Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S49562052 Macaulay Library ML 121273801

Cinnamon Screech-owl

Megascops petersoni
Spanish Name: Autillo canela

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, including cloud forests, where they roost during the day and hunt at night.
Height: 1500-2300 m

Photo: © Alan Van Norman eBird S6880068 Macaulay Library ML 39664261

Tawny-bellied Screech-owl

Megascops watsonii
Spanish Name: Autillo Selvático

Size: 9 in | 23 cm
Habitat: Dense forests, including humid forests and cloud forests, where they roost during the day and hunt at night.
Height: <600 m

Photo: © neil bowman iStock/Getty Images Plus

Choco Screech-owl

Megascops centralis
Spanish Name: Autillo del Chocó

Size: 8.2 in | 21 cm
Habitat: Dense, wet forests with abundant vegetation, where they roost during the day and hunt at night. They are well-adapted to the environmental conditions of the humid forests in the Chocó region.
Height: <1600 m

Photo: © Tim Forrester eBird S35776120 Macaulay Library ML 54107841

Foothill Screech-owl

Megascops roraimae
Spanish Name: Autillo de Colina

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Dense woodland areas, including humid montane forests and cloud forests.
Height: 600-1500 m

Photo: © Nick Athanas eBird S49527985 Macaulay Library ML 121275421

Santa Marta Screech-owl

Megascops gilesi
Spanish Name: Autillo de Santa Marta

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Humid montane forests and cloud forests in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Height: 1800-2500 m

Photo: © Ondrej Prosicky iStock/Getty Images Plus

White-throated Screech-owl

Megascops albogularis
Spanish Name: Autillo Gorgiblanco

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Forested areas, including tropical and subtropical forests, montane forests, cloud forests, and woodland habitats.
Height: 2000-3500 m

Spectacled Owl

Pulsatrix Perspicillata
Spanish Name: Búho de Anteojos

Size: 18 in | 46 cm
Habitat: Dense, humid forests, including lowland rainforests, cloud forests, and montane forests.
Height: <1400 m

Band-bellied Owl

Pulsatrix melanota
Spanish Name: Búho Barrado

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Dense forested habitats, often favoring areas near streams or water sources.
Height: 500-1800 m

Crested Owl

Lophostrix cristata
Spanish Name: Búho Crestado

Size: 16 in | 41 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, including primary and secondary forests, as well as forest edges and disturbed areas near water sources.
Height: <2000 m

Great Horned Owl

Búho virginianus
Spanish Name: Búho Real

Size: 22 in | 56 cm
Habitat: Forests, swamps, deserts, and urban areas.
Height: 2000-4000 m

Mottled Owl

Ciccaba virgata
Spanish Name: Búho Moteado

Size: 14 in | 36 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, both primary and secondary, but they can also inhabit wooded areas, plantations, and forest edges.
Height: <2200 m

Black-and-white Owl

Ciccaba nigrolineata
Spanish Name: Búho Carinegro

Size: 17 in | 43 cm
Habitat: Humid forests, both primary and secondary, with dense foliage that provides ample cover for roosting and hunting.
Height: <2000 m

Black-banded Owl

Ciccaba huhula
Spanish Name: Búho Negro

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, especially those near rivers or streams. They may also occur in forest edges and fragmented habitats, but their primary preference is undisturbed forest with dense vegetation where they can remain concealed during the day.
Height: <900 m

Rufous-banded Owl

Ciccaba albitarsis
Spanish Name: Búho Ocelado

Size: 15 in | 38 cm
Habitat: Moist, montane forests with tall trees, dense undergrowth, and epiphytes. They may also occur in disturbed or secondary forests but are primarily associated with undisturbed forest habitats.
Height: 1800-3000 m

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