 There are around 190 species of owl in this family. They are found in all parts of the world, except Antarctica. They are found in a variety of habitats. Owls in this family have sharp, hooked bills; large, forward-facing eyes; big heads; round faces; flexible necks; long bodies; sharp talons; and soft, thick feathers.
Many species have feathered legs and feet. Most species are nocturnal, their soft feathers help them fly silently after their prey. Owls eat small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, eggs, and fish.
Most species
have
cryptic coloration that helps camouflage them from their prey.
Males and females look alike, but males are usually larger. Owls have distinctive vocalizations that range from soft hoots to screeching calls.
 Strigidae Photo Gallery
World Status Key
 Least Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in Wild  Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.
US Status Key
 Threatened in US  Threatened in NH  Endangered in US  Endangered in NH  Breeds in NH  Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
New Hampshire Species |
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North/Central American Species |
Barred Owl - Strix varia
Boreal Owl - Aegolius funereus
Eastern Screech-owl - Megascops asio
Great Grey Owl - Strix nebulosa
Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus
Long-eared Owl - Asio otus
Northern Hawk Owl - Surnia ulula
Northern Saw-whet Owl - Aegolius acadicus
Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus
Snowy Owl - Bubo scandiaca |
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Tamaulipas Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium sanchezi
Cuban Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium siju
Bare-legged Owl - Gymnoglaux lawrencii
Crested Owl - Lophostrix cristata
Bearded Screech-owl - Megascops barbarus
Tropical Screech-owl - Megascops choliba
Bare-shanked Screech-owl - Megascops clarkii
Pacific Screech-owl - Megascops cooperi
Vermiculated Screech-owl - Megascops guatemalae
Western Screech-owl - Megascops kennicottii
Puerto Rican Screech-owl - Megascops nudipes
Balsas Screech-owl - Megascops seductus
Whiskered Screech-owl - Megascops trichopsis
Elf Owl - Micrathene whitneyi
Flammulated Owl - Otus flammeolus
Striped Owl - Pseudoscops clamator
Jamaican Owl - Pseudoscops grammicus
Spectacled Owl - Pulsatrix perspicillata
Fulvous Owl - Strix fulvescens
Black-and-white Owl - Strix nigrolineata
Spotted Owl - Strix occidentalis
Mottled Owl - Strix virgata |
North/Central American Species |
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Southern Saw-whet Owl - Aegolius ridgwayi
Stygian Owl - Asio stygius
Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia
Ferruginous Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium brasilianum
Costa Rican Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium costaricanum
Northern Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium gnoma
Central American Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium griseiceps
Least Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium minutissimum
Colima Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium palmarum |
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There are around 190 species of owl in this family. They are found in all parts of the world, except Antarctica. They are found in a variety of habitats. Owls in this family have sharp, hooked bills; large, forward-facing eyes; big heads; round faces; flexible necks; long bodies; sharp talons; and soft, thick feathers.
Africa 
Asia 
Australia/Oceania 
Europe 
North America 
South America 
NH