Great horned owl

bubo virginianus

Photo by Brendan Lally (Wikipedia)

Common name:
great horned owl (en); corujão-orelhudo (pt); gran-duc d'Amérique (fr); búho cornudo (es); Virginia-uhu (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae

Range:
The great horned owl is widely distributed in the Americas, being found from Alaska and northern Canada, to Tierra del Fuego. They are only absent from the densest rain forests in Central America and the Amazon basin, as well as from the Caribbean islands.

Size:
These large owls are 43-64 cm long and have a wingspan of 91-153 cm. The males are smaller than the female, weighing 0,9-1,6 kg while the females weigh 1,4-2,5 kg.

Habitat:
The great horned owl is found in various habitats, namely deciduous,coniferous, and mixed forests, tropical rainforests, pampas, prairies, mountainous areas, deserts, subarctic tundra, rocky coasts, mangrove and swamp forests, and some urban areas. They are typically found at altitudes of 450-4.400 m.

Diet:
These powerful nocturnal predators take a wide range of prey, mostly mammals such as rodents, rabbits, skunks, armadillos, weasels, martens and bats, but also various birds, reptiles such as de snakes, turtles, lizards, and young alligators, amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders and even fish, large insects, scorpions, centipedes, crayfish, worms, spiders, and road killed animals.

Breeding:
The great horned owls breed in December-June. They don't build nests, using abandoned nest of another birds, such as hawks or crows, typically in trees, cliffs, buildings or even on the ground. The female lays 1-5 white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 27-37 days. The chicks leave the nest 6-7 weeks after hatching, but only become competent fliers at 10-12 weeks old and continue to receive food from their parents for another 2-3 months.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as widespread and relatively common. The population trend is stable and in some areas the great horned owl may pose a threat to endangered species on which they may prey upon.

Oriental scops-owl

Otus sunia

(Photo from World Bird Info)

Common name:
oriental scops-owl (en); mocho-d'orelhas-oriental (pt); petit-duc d'Orient (fr); autillo oriental (es); Orient-zwergohreule (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae


Range:
This Asian species is found breeding from northern Pakistan and India, through Nepal and Bangladesh, into southern China and Indochina, and further north through eastern and north-eastern China and into Korea, Japan and Sakhalin in south-eastern Russia. The north-eastern populations migrate south to winter in south-eastern Asia, including Indonesia.


Size:
These birds are 17-21 cm long and have a wingspan of 42-53 cm. They weigh 75-95 g.


Habitat:
Oriental scops-owls are found in deciduous and mixed forests, and sometimes also in at the edge of taiga coniferous forests, but also in scrublands, pastures, plantations, parks and gardens. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.


Diet:
They mainly eat insects and spiders, but also some small vertebrates like rodents and small birds.


Breeding:
The oriental scops-owl is monogamous and breeds in February-June. They nest in tree cavities, in holes in walls or sometimes in nest-boxes. The female lays 3-6 eggs, which are incubated for 24-25 days. There is no information regarding the fledging period, but the chicks of similar species fledge 4-6 weeks after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the oriental scops-owl is reported to be very abundant in some parts of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Rufous owl

Ninox rufa

(Photo from Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
rufous owl (en); coruja-ruiva (pt); ninoxe rousse (fr); nínox rojizo (es); rostkauz (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae

Range:
This species is found in northern Australia, New Guinea and the Aru Islands.

Size:
These birds are 46-57 cm long and have a wingspan of 100-120 cm. Females tend to be smaller than male, weighing 700-1.050 g while males weigh 1.050-1.300 g.

Habitat:
These birds are found in rainforests, gallery forests, forested gulleys, forest edges and wooded savannas. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
These powerful hunters take a wide range of prey, from large insects like beetles and phasmids, to large birds including brush-turkeys, scrubfowl, frogmouths, kookaburras, white cockatoos, herons, ducks and parrots. They are also known to eat flying foxes and crayfish.

Breeding:
Rufous owls breed in June-September. They nest in a large hollow in the trunk or in a large branch, most often in a dead tree up to 30 m above the ground. The female lays 1-2 dull white eggs, which she incubates alone for 36-38 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 50 days after hatching, but continue to depend on the parents for several months after fledging, and can remain with the parents until the next breeding season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a large breeding range but is reported to be uncommon to rare. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction by the clearing of forests and increasing numbers of forest fires, and unsustainable levels of hunting.

Spotted eagle owl

Bubo africanus

Photo by Johann du Preez (Fotopedia)

Common name:
spotted eagle owl (en); bufo-malhado (pt); grand-duc africain (fr); búho manchado (es); fleckenuhu (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae


Range:
This species is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania east to Sudan and Ethiopia, and all the way south to South Africa. It is also found in the Arabian Peninsula, in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen.


Size:
These large owls are 45 cm long and have a wingspan of 100-140 cm. They weigh 480-850 g.


Habitat:
The spotted eagle owl occupies a wide range of habitats, including rocky desert outcrops, woodland and savannah, but generally prefer a mixture of grassland, scrubland and semi-open woodland, or rocky hills with scattered trees and bushes. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 2.100 m.


Diet:
These birds have an extremely varied diet, including mammals such as rodents, hares and rabbits, bush-babies, fruit bats and mole rats; birds such as falcons, kites, francolins, hornbills, thick-knees and mousebirds; large poisonous snakes and smaller reptiles; amphibians; invertebrates such as spiders, insects, snails, crabs and millipedes; and even dead fish, and carrion.


Breeding:
Spotted eagle owls breed in July-December. The nest is a scrape on the ground, typically sheltered by a bush, grass or rocks. There the female lays 2-4 eggs white eggs which she incubates alone for 29-33 days. The chicks fledge 40-42 days after hatching, but remain with their parents while learning to hunt, only becoming fully independent 2-4 months later.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Spotted owlet

Athene brama

Photo by Lip Kee (Flickr)

Common name:

spotted owlet (en); mocho-de-Brama (pt); chevêche brame (fr); mochuelo Brahmán (es); Brahmakauz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This Asian species is found from eastern Iran and Afghanistan, throughout Pakistan and India and into Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

Size:

These birds are 19-21 cm long and weigh 110-115 g.

Habitat:

Spotted owlets are generally found in heavily degraded patches of former tropical and subtropical forests, in pastures and arable land, and also in hot deserts. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:

They mostly eat insects, namely beetles and moths, and small rodents, but also bats, toads, small snakes, lizards, small birds, scorpions, earthworms and molluscs.

Breeding:

Spotted owlets breed in November-April. They nest in natural tree hollows, or in holes and cavities in human dwellings, where the female lays 2-5 white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both sexes for 25-30 days, and the chicks fledge 30-33 days after hatching. Each pair raises a single brood per year.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be common over most of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Tawny owl

Strix aluco

(Photo from IVN Vecht & Plassengebied)

Common name:

tawny owl (en); coruja-do-mato (pt); chouette hulotte (fr); cárabo cómun (es); waldkauz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This species is found throughout continental Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to southern Scandinavia. It is also found in Great Britain. It also occurs in Asian Russia and across Iran and the Himalayas all the way to southern China.

Size:

Tawny owls are 41-46 cm long and have a wingspan of 90-105 cm. They weigh 400-800 g.

Habitat:

They are mostly found in broad-leaved or mixed woodland, but will also inhabit trees in hedgerows, parkland, churchyards, farmland, and coniferous forests. In winter it may take shelter in disused buildings and rock cavities.

Diet:

Tawny Owls hunt almost entirely at night, usually waiting quietly on a perch, watching and listening until they drop on their prey. They take a wide variety of prey, mostly rabbits, moles, mice, shrews, voles, and other rodents, but also earthworms, insects, birds, frogs, fish, lizards, molluscs and crustaceans.

Breeding:

These birds breed in March-July. They nest in a natural hole or a nest box in a tree, but occasionally nests have been found on ledges of old buildings and in chimneys. There the female lays 2-6 pure white eggs, which she incubates alone for 28-29 days while the male brings her food. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 28-37 days after hatching, but remain dependent on their parents for food up to 3 months after leaving the nest.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

Tawny owls have an extremely large breeding range and a global population of 2-6 million individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Eastern screech owl

Megascops asio

Photo by Wolfgang Wander (Wikipedia)

Common name:

eastern screech owl (en); mocho-americano-oriental (pt); petit-duc maculé (fr); autillo yanqui (es); ost-kreischeule (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This species is found through the eastern United States, also marginally across the border into southern Canada and south to north-east Mexico.

Size:

The eastern screech owl is 21-23 cm long and has a wingspan of 54-56 cm. They weigh 120-240 g.

Habitat:

This species inhabits open mixed woodlands, deciduous forests, parklands, wooded suburban areas, riparian woods along streams and wetlands, mature orchards, and woodlands near marshes, meadows, and fields. They will avoid dense forests because great horned owls Bubo virginianus use that habitat.

Diet:

Eastern screech owls hunt from dusk to dawn, being an opportunistic hunter. A large part of their diet is composed of large insects, namely beetles, moths, crickets, grasshoppers and cicadas. They also take crayfish, snails, spiders, earthworms, scorpions, and centipedes, small mammals up to the size of a rabbit. Small birds such as chickadees, sparrows and warblers are often also hunted, but they can eat larger avian prey, including rock pigeons, northern bobwhite and even ruffed grouse. Irregularly, small fish, small snakes, lizards, baby soft-shelled turtles, small frogs, toads, and salamanders are also preyed upon.

Breeding:

These birds breed in April-June. They nest almost exclusively in tree cavities, with enlarged natural cavities being preferred, but they also using old woodpecker nests placed 2-6 m above the ground. The female lays 3-5 eggs which are mostly incubated by the female for 26 days. The male provides most of the food while the female broods the chicks, and will stockpile food during early stages. The chicks fledge 31 days after hatching. Each pair only produces a single clutch per year, but may re-nest if the first clutch is lost.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The eastern screech owl has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 800.000 individuals. This population has undergone a small increase over the last 4 decades and is not considered threatened at present.

Indian scops-owl

Otus bakkamoena

Photo by Samiul Mohsanin (Flickriver)

Common name:

Indian scops-owl (en); mocho-de-orelhas-da-Índia (pt); petit-duc indien (fr); autillo indio (es); Indien-zwergohreule (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This Asian species is a resident breeder found from eastern Saudi Arabia, through Iran, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, and into Indonesia.

Size:

The Indian scops-owl is 23-25 cm long and weighs 120-150 g.

Habitat:

This species is found in forested habitats, mostly lowland secondary forests, but also in fields with scrub cover.

Diet:

They mostly eat insects, such as moths, beetles and grasshoppers. They also take small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Breeding:

The Indian scops-owl breeds in April-July. They nest in a hole in a tree, or in a rock cavity, where the female lays 3-5 eggs. The eggs are incubated for 28-29 days and the chicks fledge 4-5 weeks after hatching. The chicks continue to receive food from their parents for another 3-4 weeks after fledging.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and locally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Barking owl

Ninox connivens

(Photo from Silent Range Estate)

Common name:

barking owl (en); coruja-que-ladra (pt); ninoxe aboyeuse (fr); nínox ladrador (es); kläfferkauz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This species is found in in eastern and northern Australia, in Papua New-Guinea, Indonesia and the Moluccas.

Size:

Barking owls are 35-45 cm long and have a wingspan of 85-100 cm. They weigh 425-510 g.

Habitat:

These birds are mostly found in open country with a choice of large trees for roosting and nesting. They favour creeks and rivers, particularly with river red gums, isolated stands of trees and open woodland. They can also be found in paperbark swamps and even in farms and town buildings.

Diet:

This agile and aggressive hunter, takes a wide range of prey. They take small to medium-sized mammals, including rabbits, gliders, small possums, bats and rodents; birds like house sparrow, magpie lark, small pigeons, blue-faced honeyeater, laughing and blue-winged kookaburra, red-rumped parrot, tawny frogmouth, Australian magpie, white-winged chough, white cockatoo and several species of duck; reptiles and insects.

Breeding:

The barking owl breeds in July-October. The nest site is an open hollow in a tree trunk, up to 30 m above the ground, loosely lined with sticks and other wood debris. The same site is often used for many years. The female lays 2-3 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 28-36 days while being provided food by the male. The chicks fledge 35-45 days after hatching, but remain dependent on their parents for several months, and will remain in the family group until a few months before the next breeding season. Each pair produces a single clutch per year.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and his described as widespread and generally common over this range. However, barking owls have declined rapidly throughout much of their range, mostly due to ongoing habitat destruction and degradation through over-grazing. Loss of hollow-bearing trees and firewood harvesting impacts on the species by removing nesting and roost sites, while competition from feral honeybees for roost sites and competition with foxes and feral cats, as well as predation by foxes is also thought to be a reason for their decline. Barking owl mortality has also been recorded due to secondary agricultural poisoning, barbed wire fences and vehicle collisions. Despite these issues, this species is not considered threatened at present.

Spectacled owl

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Common name:

spectacled owl (en); murucututu (pt); chouette à lunettes (fr); lechuzón de anteojos (es); brillenkauz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This species is found from southern Mexico, through Central America and large parts of northern South America under the recess of the Andes, all the way to northern Argentina.

Size:

Spectacled owls are 43-46 cm long and have a wingspan of 76-91 cm. Females tend to be larger than males, weighing 760-980 g while males weigh 590-760 g.

Habitat:

Spectacled owls live near water in rainforest and woodlands. They can be found from sea level to elevations of 1.600 m.

Diet:

They mostly hunt almost exclusively at night, mostly taking mice and insects. They are also known to eat crabs, bats, possums, skunks, frogs and smaller birds no larger than a pigeon.

Breeding:

The spectacled owl breeds in April-October. They nest inside tree cavities, where the female lays 1-2 eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for 34-35 days. Only 1 chick survives, being mostly fed by the female, with some help from the male, and fledge 5-6 weeks after hatching, but often continue to dependent on their parents for up 1 year

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and a global population of 500.000-5.000.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, so it is not considered threatened at present.

Marsh owl

Asio capensis

(Photo from Território Selvagem)

Common name:

marsh owl (en); coruja-moura (pt); hibou du Cap (fr); búho moro (es); Kap-ohreule (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This African species is found throughout much of southern and central Africa, extending from South Africa to Ethiopia, Sudan and Madagascar, with scattered populations in West Africa including Cameroon, Chad, Morocco and Senegal.

Size:

These birds are 29-38 cm long and has a wingspan of 82-99 cm. They weigh 225-375 g.

Habitat:

The marsh owl can be found within a multitude of habitats, ranging from estuarine marshes and mangroves, to sub-tropical grasslands, open savannas, inland wetlands and agricultural areas.

Diet:

They hunt a wide range of animals, including invertebrates like crickets, locusts and grasshoppers, beetles, termites and snails, but also rodents, bats, shrews, birds, lizards, snakes and frogs.

Breeding:

Marsh owls mostly breed in October-April. The nests is a slight depression in the ground, concealed in dense grass and weeds, where the female lays 2-4 eggs. The female incubates the eggs alone for 27-28 days, while the male does all the hunting, storing his prey in caches to be eaten later by either him or the female. The chicks stay in the nest for about 14-18 days, after which they crawl around the surrounding bush for a few weeks, at least until they learn to fly. The fledglings are thought to remain dependent on their parents until they are about 80 days old.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

Although the global population is yet to be quantified, the species is described as common throughout its very large breeding range. With no evidence for any declines or substantial threats, this species is not threatened at present.

Northern saw-whet owl

Aegolius acadius

Photo by Ian Maton (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

northern saw-whet owl (en); mocho-amolador (pt); petite nyctale (fr); lechuza norteña (es); sägekauz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

This North American species breeds from southern Alaska in the north, down along the Pacific coast, throughout southern Canada and the northern states of the United States and in the western half of the United States down to northern Mexico. The northern populations winter in the eastern half of the United States down to Florida, and in Mexico.

Size:

This small owl is 18-21 cm long and has a wingspan of 42-48 cm. They weigh 75-110 g.

Habitat:

They inhabit both coniferous and deciduous forests, with thickets of second-growth or scrubs. They mostly breed in forests where woodpeckers create cavities for nest sites. The nesting sites are usually in swampy or wet, rather than dry areas, and riparian habitats are also used.

Diet:

These nocturnal predators mostly hunt small mammals, including mice, shrews, voles, squirrels, moles, bats and flying squirrels. Small birds are sometimes taken, including swallows, sparrows, chickadees and kinglets. Frogs, insects and crustaceans may also be taken in some parts of their range.

Breeding:

The northern saw-whet owl breeds in March-July. They usually nest in natural tree cavities or woodpecker holes, but can also use nest boxes. Nests are often in dead trees at heights of 4-6 m. The female lays 3-7 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 21-28 days, while being fed by the male. The chicks fledge 4-5 weeks after hatching and may continue to be fed by the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

With a population of 2 million and a very large breeding range, this species is not threatened at present.

Little owl

Athene noctua

Common name:

Little owl (en); mocho-galego (pt); chevêche d'Athéna (fr); mochuelo europeo (es); steinkauz (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Strigiformes

Family Strigidae

Range:

The little owl is a resident species in most of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia and north Africa. They were introduced in Great Britain and New Zealand.

Size:

This small owl is 23-27,5 cm long and has a wingspan of 50-56 cm. Females tend to be slightly larger than males. Males weigh between 140-180 g while females weigh between 150-200 g.

Habitat:

this is a sedentary species which is found in open habitats, mainly mixed farmland and parkland. In many parts of their range they use steppe and agricultural pseudo-steppe habitats.

Diet:

They mostly feed on insects, earthworms and amphibians. They also hunt small mammals and birds. Unlike most owls, little owls are often seen hunting during the day.

Breeding:

The nests are found in holes in trees, rocks, cliffs, river banks, wall, buildings and owl nest boxes. Egg laying takes place in April-May, and they lay 3-5 eggs which are incubated solely by the female for 28-29 days. The chicks fledge 26 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

With a population estimated at 5-15 million and an extremely large breeding range, this species is not threatened at present.