How many owls in the world?
Quick answer
This page answers How many owls in the world? quickly.
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
▶
There are approximately 250 species of owls in the world, according to the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), which recognizes 254 species of owl in order Strigiformes, distributed among 25 genera in two families. The world’s roughly 250 owl species can be found in every continent except Antarctica, with the vast majority of them being classified as true owls, which are found in family Strigidae.
FAQs About Owls
General Information
- What is the distribution of owls?: Owls live on every continent except icy Antarctica and can be found in various habitats, including deserts, prairies, and the Arctic tundra.
- How many owl species are there in the world 2023?: The world’s roughly 250 owl species, belonging to the order Strigiformes, can be found in every continent except Antarctica.
- How many true owls are there?: The vast majority (approximately 230) of owls in the world are classified as true owls, which are found in family Strigidae.
Owl Species and Classification
- How many owl species are in the United States?: Nineteen owl species are found in the United States, ranging from the diminutive Elf Owl to the massive Great Gray Owl.
- What is the rarest owl?: The Pernambuco Pygmy Owl is perhaps one of the rarest owls in the world, with its only known range being in the northeastern state of Brazil known as Pernambuco.
- What is the most feared owl?: The Great Horned Owl is a fearless and feared bird of prey, nicknamed the tiger with wings, and is one of the few animals that will kill a skunk.
Owl Behavior and Habitat
- Where do owls go during the day?: Owls often roost in dense evergreens and will also perch close to the trunk in other kinds of trees, where they’re easier to spot once autumn leaves fall.
- What do owls eat?: Owls are adept hunters and have specialized auditory functions that help provide acoustic information to locate and pursue their prey.
- How many times a year do owls lay eggs?: Typically, owls will only have one brood (or set of eggs/chicks) per year, though some pairs might re-nest if their eggs fail before hatching.
Conservation Status and Longevity
- Are owls almost extinct?: Climate change, invasive species, and other threats are causing declining populations, with Northern spotted owls being threatened and snowy owls being vulnerable.
- What is the lifespan of an owl?: Owls live relatively long lives, with their average longevity being 8 to 10 years, and in the wild, the oldest known Barred Owl was around 26 years, 7 months old.
- What owl lives the longest?: The Great Horned Owl is probably the longest-lived owl in North America, with banding records confirming numerous owls living into their twenties.
Unique Characteristics and Intelligence
- Are owls intelligent?: Owls, despite common representation and symbolism, are not very intelligent compared to other bird species, as they are very instinct-driven.
- What is unique about an owl’s eyes?: Due to the shape and size of their large eyes, owls cannot move their eyes to look around, which is a distinctive characteristic of these birds.
- What is the rarest owl color?: The Madagascar Red Owl is thought to be one of the rarest owls, with its unique red plumage making it a striking sight to behold.