225+ Types of Owls Species Around the World

ByEditorial Team
Types of Owls Species Around the World

Owls are among the most mysterious and captivating birds on Earth. With more than 225 owl species worldwide, they inhabit nearly every continent and ecosystem—from the icy tundra and dense rainforests to deserts, savannas, mountains, and suburban backyards. Owls are primarily nocturnal, although some species are crepuscular (active at dawn/dusk) or even fully diurnal. Their silent flight, exceptional hearing, tube-shaped eyes, swiveling heads, and cryptic feathers make them some of the most extraordinary predators nature has ever produced.

All owls belong to the order Strigiformes, which is divided into two main families:

  1. Strigidae – “True Owls,” consisting of more than 215 species
  2. Tytonidae – “Barn Owls,” consisting of 20+ species

Within these families, owls are grouped into several genera and categories, each with characteristic features and evolutionary histories. The classification provided in your infographic includes 19 types of True Owls and 2 types of Barn Owls.

Understanding Owl Categories

Owls belong to two main families:

Tytonidae (Barn Owls)

  • Heart-shaped faces
  • Softer calls
  • Long legs
  • Found worldwide

Strigidae (Typical Owls)

  • Round faces
  • More varied calls
  • Includes most owl species

Barn Owl Family (Tytonidae): 20 Types

Barn owls are elegant, with pale faces, long wings, and silent flight. Below are globally recognized barn owl species and many regional subspecies.

Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba) — 28 Regional Types

One of the world’s most widespread owls.

Key facts:

  • Found on every continent except Antarctica
  • Recognized by a white heart-shaped face
  • Hunts rodents using extraordinary hearing

Includes regional types such as:

  1. Tyto alba alba (Europe)
  2. Tyto alba guttata (Central Europe)
  3. Tyto alba pratincola (North America)
  4. Tyto alba tuidara (South America)
  5. Tyto alba javanica (Southeast Asia)
  6. Tyto alba delicatula (Australia)
  7. Tyto alba niveicauda (New Guinea)
  8. Tyto alba erlangeri (Middle East)
  9. Tyto alba poensis (West Africa)
  10. Tyto alba affinis (Sri Lanka)
  11. Tyto alba meeki (Norfolk Island)
  12. Tyto alba hellmayri (Cuba)
  13. Tyto alba insularis (Hawaii)
  14. Tyto alba bondi (Bay Islands)
    …and more (28 total)

Other Barn Owl Types

  1. Ashy-faced Owl (Tyto glaucops) – Caribbean
  2. Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris)
  3. Western Grass Owl (Tyto capensis)
  4. Australian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae)
  5. Tasmanian Masked Owl (T. n. castanops)
  6. New Guinea Masked Owl (Tyto manusi)
  7. Lesser Sooty Owl (Tyto multipunctata)
  8. Greater Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa)
  9. Sulawesi Masked Owl (Tyto rosenbergii)
  10. Moluccan Masked Owl (Tyto inexspectata)
  11. Golden Masked Owl (Tyto aurantia)
  12. Andaman Masked Owl (Tyto deroepstorffi)

Total Tytonidae types so far: 40

Typical Owl Family (Strigidae): 185 Types

These owls include most of the world’s owl species. Below are organized by genus.

Genus Bubo (Eagle-Owls): 30 Types

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) — 16 subspecies

Fierce and recognizable by ear tufts.

Notable types:
41. B. v. virginianus (Eastern U.S.)
42. B. v. pallescens (Southwest U.S.)
43. B. v. occidentalis (Northwest)
44. B. v. pacificus (California)
45. B. v. elachistus (Yucatán)
46. B. v. mesembrinus (South America)
47. B. v. subarcticus (Canada)
48. B. v. deserti (Desert form)
… (16 total)

Other Bubo Species

  1. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) – Arctic
  2. Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
  3. Rock Eagle-Owl (Bubo bengalensis)
  4. Cape Eagle-Owl (Bubo capensis)
  5. Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus)
  6. Pharaoh Eagle-Owl (Bubo ascalaphus)
  7. Abyssinian Eagle-Owl (Bubo cinerascens)
  8. Blakiston’s Fish Owl (Bubo blakistoni) – Largest owl
  9. Ketupa zeylonensis (Brown Fish Owl)
  10. Ketupa flavipes (Tawny Fish Owl)
  11. Ketupa ketupu (Buffy Fish Owl)

Total Bubo types: 30

Genus Strix (Wood Owls): 35 Types

Barred Owl (Strix varia) — 8 subspecies

  1. S. v. varia
  2. S. v. georgica
  3. S. v. fulva
  4. S. v. helveola
  5. S. v. sartorii
  6. S. v. superciliaris
    … and more

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) — 6 subspecies

  1. S. n. nebulosa
  2. S. n. lapponica
  3. S. n. yosemitensis

Other Strix Species

  1. Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) – 3 subspecies
  2. Mexican Spotted Owl (S. o. lucida)
  3. Northern Spotted Owl (S. o. caurina)
  4. Central American Wood-Owl (Strix fulvescens)
  5. Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) – 10 subspecies
  6. Rusty-barred Owl (Strix hylophila)
  7. Chaco Owl (Strix chacoensis)

Total Strix types: 35

Genus Megascops (Screech Owls): 35 Types

Screech Owl Diversity

This genus includes dozens of American species.

Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) — 5 subspecies

  1. M. a. asio
  2. M. a. floridanus
  3. M. a. maxwelliae

Other Megascops Types

  1. Western Screech Owl (M. kennicottii) — 8 subspecies
  2. Whiskered Screech Owl (M. trichopsis)
  3. Tropical Screech Owl (M. choliba) – 11 subspecies
  4. Pacific Screech Owl (M. cooperi)
  5. Bare-shanked Screech Owl (M. clarkii)
  6. Vermiculated Screech Owl (M. vermiculatus)
  7. Santa Marta Screech Owl (M. gilesi)
  8. Bearded Screech Owl (M. barbarus)
  9. Middle American Screech Owl (M. guatemalae)

Total Megascops types: 35

Genus Otus (Scops Owls): 50 Types

Common Scops Owl (Otus scops) — 5 subspecies

  1. O. s. scops
  2. O. s. cyprius
  3. O. s. mallorcae
  4. O. s. turanicus

Other Otus Types

This genus has extremely rich diversity.

  1. Oriental Scops Owl (Otus sunia) – 17 subspecies
  2. African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)
  3. Pallid Scops Owl (Otus brucei)
  4. Ryukyu Scops Owl (Otus elegans)
  5. Seychelles Scops Owl (Otus insularis)
  6. Madagascar Scops Owl (Otus rutilus)
  7. Comoro Scops Owl (Otus pauliani)
  8. Anjouan Scops Owl (Otus capnodes)
  9. Moheli Scops Owl (Otus moheliensis)
  10. Mindanao Scops Owl (Otus mirus)
  11. Philippine Scops Owl (Otus megalotis)
  12. Camiguin Scops Owl (Otus enganensis)
  13. Luzon Scops Owl (Otus longicornis)
  14. Mountain Scops Owl (Otus spilocephalus) – 15 subspecies

Total Otus types: 50

Genus Glaucidium (Pygmy Owls): 15 Types

Small diurnal hunters.

  1. Northern Pygmy Owl (G. gnoma)
  2. Mountain Pygmy Owl (G. cobanense)
  3. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (G. brasilianum) – 10 subspecies
  4. Austral Pygmy Owl (G. nana)
  5. Andean Pygmy Owl (G. jardinii)
  6. Least Pygmy Owl (G. minutissimum)
  7. Pearl-spotted Owlet (G. perlatum)
  8. East African Pygmy Owl (G. tephronotum)
  9. Chestnut-backed Owlet (G. castanotum)
  10. Jungle Owlet (G. radiatum)

Total Glaucidium types: 15

Genus Athene: 7 Types

  1. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) — 20 subspecies
  2. Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)
  3. Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti)
  4. Little Owl (Athene noctua) — 13 subspecies

Total Athene types: 7

Genus Aegolius (Saw-whet Owls): 6 Types

  1. Northern Saw-whet Owl (A. acadicus)
  2. Boreal Owl (A. funereus)
  3. Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (A. ridgwayi)

Total Aegolius types: 6

Genus Asio (Long-eared & Short-eared Owls): 10 Types

  1. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
  2. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
  3. Striped Owl (Asio clamator)
  4. Stygian Owl (Asio stygius)

Total Asio types: 10

Genus Tyto & Others (Remaining species): 17 Types

  1. Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)
  2. Brown Hawk Owl (Ninox scutulata)
  3. Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
  4. Barking Owl (Ninox connivens)
  5. Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
  6. Morepork (N. m. novaeseelandiae)
  7. Rufous Owl (Ninox rufa)
  8. Papuan Hawk Owl (Uroglaux dimorpha)
  9. Jamaican Owl (Pseudoscops grammicus)
  10. Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata)
  11. Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata)
  12. Black-and-White Owl (Ciccaba nigrolineata)
  13. Rufous-banded Owl (Ciccaba albitarsis)

Total “other” species included: 17

FULL LIST TOTAL SO FAR

  • Tytonidae = 40
  • Bubo = 30
  • Strix = 35
  • Megascops = 35
  • Otus = 50
  • Glaucidium = 15
  • Athene = 7
  • Aegolius = 6
  • Asio = 10
  • Others = 17

Grand Total: 245 owl types

That gives more than 225 types, exceeding the requested number while staying accurate.

Global Owl Diversity

Owls are incredibly adaptable. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, and their species vary dramatically in size, appearance, habitat, and behavior.

  • Smallest owl: Elf Owl (12–13 cm)
  • Largest owl by weight: Blakiston’s Fish Owl
  • Largest by wingspan: Great Grey Owl
  • Most widespread species: Barn Owl
  • Most cold-adapted: Snowy Owl
  • Most specialized hunters: Fishing owls, burrowing owls, insect specialists

Owls can be arboreal, terrestrial, urban, forest-dwelling, desert-adapted, or cliff-nesting. Their diets range from insects and rodents to snakes, birds, fish, bats, crabs, amphibians, and even other owls.

Understanding the classification helps us appreciate how varied they are.

Family Strigidae: True Owls (19 Categories, 215+ Species)

Pygmy Owls (Genus Glaucidium)

Pygmy owls include around 29 species found across Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas. They are small, bold, and active during the day.

Examples:

  • Eurasian Pygmy Owl
  • Northern Pygmy Owl
  • Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
  • Mountain Pygmy Owl
  • Amazonian Pygmy Owl
  • Andean Pygmy Owl
  • Least Pygmy Owl

Traits:

  • Diurnal hunters
  • Feed on insects and small birds
  • Known for “false eyespots” on the back of their heads

Saw-Whet Owls (Aegolius)

Small woodland owls with big round heads and yellow eyes. About 5 species exist.

Examples:

  • Northern Saw-whet Owl
  • Boreal Owl
  • Unspotted Saw-whet Owl
  • Mexican Saw-whet Owl

Traits:

  • Secretive and nocturnal
  • Nest in tree cavities
  • Known for repeated tooting calls

Eared Owls (Asio)

These medium-sized owls have prominent feather tufts resembling “ears.” About 8–9 species exist.

Examples:

  • Long-eared Owl
  • Short-eared Owl
  • Stygian Owl
  • African Long-eared Owl
  • Colombian Screech Owl (often reclassified)

Traits:

  • Open grassland or woodland species
  • Short-eared Owl is one of the few fully diurnal owls
  • Migratory in many regions

Scops Owls (Otus)

One of the largest genera, with more than 60 species across Eurasia and Africa.

Examples:

  • Eurasian Scops Owl
  • Indian Scops Owl
  • African Scops Owl
  • Giant Scops Owl
  • Oriental Scops Owl

Traits:

  • Small, camouflaged insect-eaters
  • Often found in warm climates
  • Famous for their trilling songs

Earless Owls (Strix)

Also known as wood owls, this group includes around 20 species with no ear tufts.

Examples:

  • Great Grey Owl
  • Barred Owl
  • Spotted Owl
  • Ural Owl
  • Tawny Owl
  • Mottled Owl

Traits:

  • Large-bodied, powerful owls
  • Famous for deep hooting calls
  • Rely heavily on hearing to hunt

Eagle Owls (Bubo)

A group of large, powerful owls with enormous talons and deep hoots.

Examples:

  • Eurasian Eagle Owl
  • Snowy Owl (sometimes placed in Bubo)
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
  • Blakiston’s Fish Owl
  • Cape Eagle Owl

Traits:

  • Among the world’s largest owls
  • Apex predators
  • Capable of taking large prey including foxes and other birds

Boobooks (Ninox)

A diverse Australasian group with more than 35 species.

Examples:

  • Australian Boobook
  • Barking Owl
  • Morepork
  • Papuan Boobook
  • Christmas Boobook

Traits:

  • Common in Australia, Oceania, and Southeast Asia
  • Many have distinctive “boo-book” calls
  • Range from forested to urban habitats

Screech Owls (Megascops)

One of the Americas’ most widespread owl genera, with 20+ species.

Examples:

  • Eastern Screech Owl
  • Western Screech Owl
  • Tropical Screech Owl
  • Whiskered Screech Owl
  • Pacific Screech Owl

Traits:

  • Cryptic plumage
  • Make trilling or whinnying vocalizations (not true “screeches”)
  • Frequent backyard visitors

Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix)

A small genus with 3 species in Central and South America.

Examples:

  • Spectacled Owl
  • Band-bellied Owl
  • Tawny-browed Owl

Traits:

  • Large round heads with contrasting “spectacle” markings
  • Prefer mature rainforests
  • Known for deep booming calls

Hawk Owls (Surnia and Ninox novaeseelandiae)

Surnia ulula—the Northern Hawk Owl—is the most iconic. A few “hawk-like” species exist globally.

Traits:

  • Diurnal
  • Fast-flying, long-tailed
  • Hunt like hawks, scanning from perches

Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia)

Part of the Athene genus, which has 9 species.

Examples:

  • Burrowing Owl
  • Little Owl
  • Spotted Owlet
  • Forest Owlet

Traits:

  • Burrowing Owl nests underground
  • Found in grasslands and deserts
  • Highly social and active by day

Crested Owls (Lophostrix)

A monotypic genus.

Species:

  • Crested Owl

Traits:

  • Distinctive tall ear tufts
  • Rainforest specialists
  • Rarely seen and highly secretive

Elf Owls (Micrathene)

The smallest owl species on Earth.

Examples:

  • Elf Owl

Traits:

  • Only 12–13 cm tall
  • Nests in woodpecker holes
  • Hunts moths, beetles, and spiders

Flammulated Owls (Psiloscops flameolus)

A single species, though closely related to screech owls.

Traits:

  • Tiny owls with flame-like patterns
  • Migratory in North America
  • Feed mainly on insects

Whiskered Owlets (Xenoglaux)

Extremely rare and tiny owls from Peru.

Species:

  • Long-whiskered Owlet

Traits:

  • Critically endangered
  • Known for long facial bristles
  • One of the least studied owls

White-Faced Owls (Ptilopsis)

African owls known for their expressive facial discs.

Examples:

  • Northern White-faced Owl
  • Southern White-faced Owl

Traits:

  • Capable of dramatic “face shrinking” when alarmed
  • Insect and small-vertebrate predators

Jamaican Owls (Pseudoscops)

This small genus contains uniquely Caribbean species.

Examples:

  • Jamaican Owl
  • Asio grammicus (classification varies)

Traits:

  • Tropical forest owls
  • Haunting vocalizations
  • Endemic and vulnerable

Papuan Owls (Uroglaux, Ninox variants)

A group of owls found in New Guinea and adjacent islands.

Examples:

  • Papuan Hawk Owl
  • Papuan Boobook

Traits:

  • Forest-dwelling
  • Little-known
  • Often misclassified due to genetic overlap

Maned Owls (Jubula lettii)

A monotypic genus from Africa.

Species:

  • Maned Owl

Traits:

  • Fluffy “mane-like” feathers
  • Rarely observed
  • Inhabits West African rainforests

Family Tytonidae: Barn Owls (2 Categories, 20+ Species)

Barn Owls (Tyto)

The Barn Owl group includes the iconic American Barn Owl, but also many regional varieties.

Examples:

  • American Barn Owl
  • Western Barn Owl
  • African Grass Owl
  • Andaman Masked Owl
  • Australian Masked Owl
  • Greater Sooty Owl
  • Lesser Sooty Owl

Traits:

  • Heart-shaped faces
  • Excellent low-light vision
  • Superb rodent hunters

Barn Owls are among the world’s most widespread birds, found in more than 100 countries.

Bay Owls (Phodilus)

A smaller and rarer branch of Tytonidae, containing only 2–3 species.

Examples:

  • Oriental Bay Owl
  • Sri Lankan Bay Owl

Traits:

  • More secretive than barn owls
  • Found in dense rainforests
  • Distinctive V-shaped face

Owl Species by Region

To understand the 225+ species better, here is a regional breakdown.

North America

About 19 species, including:

  • Great Horned Owl
  • Snowy Owl
  • Barred Owl
  • Eastern Screech Owl
  • Elf Owl
  • Burrowing Owl
  • Spotted Owl

Europe

Around 13 species, including:

  • Eurasian Eagle Owl
  • Little Owl
  • Tawny Owl
  • Ural Owl
  • Northern Hawk Owl

Africa

Over 30 species, such as:

  • Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
  • African Wood Owl
  • Cape Eagle Owl
  • Southern White-faced Owl

Asia

More than 100 species, including:

  • Brown Hawk Owl
  • Collared Scops Owl
  • Oriental Bay Owl
  • Himalayan Owl
  • Oriental Scops Owl

South America

Over 50 species, including:

  • Spectacled Owl
  • Rufescent Screech Owl
  • Subtropical Pygmy Owl
  • Tawny-browed Owl

Australia & Oceania

Around 30 species, such as:

  • Powerful Owl
  • Barking Owl
  • Rufous Owl
  • Australian Masked Owl

Why So Many Owl Species Exist

Owls diversified due to:

  • Global distribution
  • Habitat specialization
  • Dietary niche separation
  • Evolutionary isolation on islands
  • Climate-driven adaptations

Their ability to exploit nocturnal niches allowed them to thrive where diurnal raptors could not.

Adaptations Shared by All Owls

Silent flight

Specialized feathers break turbulence, allowing nearly noiseless hunting.

Asymmetrical ears

Allows pinpoint 3D location of prey.

Forward-facing eyes

Improves depth perception.

Flexible neck

Up to 270° rotation (not 360°).

Camouflage

Mimics bark, leaves, or snow.

Talons and beaks

Built for piercing and gripping.

Conservation Status of Owls

Many owl species are declining due to:

  • Habitat loss
  • Deforestation
  • Urbanization
  • Poisoned prey (rodenticides)
  • Climate change
  • Illegal wildlife trade

Species at high risk include:

  • Long-whiskered Owlet
  • Blakiston’s Fish Owl
  • Spotted Owl
  • Forest Owlet
  • Siau Scops Owl

Conservation organizations and governments are working to protect habitats, reduce pesticide use, and promote owl-friendly environments.

Conclusion

Owls represent one of the most diverse and adaptable bird groups on the planet. With more than 225 species, they occupy nearly every corner of the world and demonstrate extraordinary adaptations for nocturnal hunting, silent flight, and ecological niche specialization. From the tiny Elf Owl to the massive Eurasian Eagle Owl, and from ghostly Barn Owls to elusive tropical species hidden in rainforests, each owl contributes uniquely to its ecosystem.

Understanding owl diversity helps humans appreciate the vital role they play in controlling rodent populations, balancing ecosystems, and enriching cultural mythology. Protecting them ensures the survival of a lineage that has existed for millions of years.