Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Strix ("owl") nigrolineata ("black lined")

Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 400-535g  /  Length: 35-40cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This visually striking owl is a species that is found only in Central America and the most adjacent lowland parts of South America. They are a forest species, but are quite tolerant of nesting hear humans compared to other owls, perhaps as it tends to nest high in very tall tree species like mahogany. Its favoured prey include dung beetles, bats, cicadas and diurnal birds snatched from their roosts.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cárabo Blanquinegro ("Black and White Owl")
A widespread species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Glaucidium ("small owl") brasilianum ("of Brazil")

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) at Taroles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Glaucidium brasilianum ridgwayi
Weight: 53-79g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: 30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

The most widely distributed of all pygmy owls ranging from the US Southern border to Argentina, albeit somewhat patchily. Despite its small size they are versatuke oredators taking almost any prey of appropriate size including birds, lizards, rodents, grasshoppers and scorpions. Across their range, their plumage comes in a range of different morphs from duller dark browns through to russet. The subspecies seen here that is found in Central and North America has been proposed for being split but this has not currently been accepted by any authorities.
 
Related Species: 
Order:  Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Glaucidium

SUBSPECIES: G. b. cactorum, G. b. intermedium, G. b. ridgwayi, G. b. medianum, G. b. margaritae, G. b. phaloenoides, G. b. duidae, G. b. olivaceum, G. b. ucayalae, G. b. brasilianum, G. b. pallens, G. b. stranecki, G. b. tucumanum

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish -  Tecolote Bajeño ("Lowland Owl")

Found in the North West 
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Ketupa ("Malay word Ketupok for Buffy Fish Owl") zeylonensis ("of Sri Lanka")  

Adult Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) near Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies: Western Brown Fish Owl - Ketupa zeylonensis semenowi
Weight: 1.1 - 2.5kg  /  Length: 48-61cm  /  Wingspan: 120-140cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Brown Fish Owl is as the name suggests, a large brown owl that hunts primarily on fish, frogs and crabs. Their primary range is in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia, but there are relic populations in Iran and, as well as in the case of these birds - some in Southern Turkey. Unusually for owls, they have been recorded feeding on carrion. As with species like ospreys, their feet are unusual and have two back facing toes.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ketupa
SUBSPECIES: K. z. semenowi, S. z. leschenaulti, K. z. zeylonensis, K. z. orientalis

 - Sighting Locations -

TURKEY  - Balık baykuşu ("Fish Owl")

 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - One bird in the mountains near Side.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

OTHER NAMES: Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl
Latin Etymology: Bubo ("owl") virginianus ("of Virginia")

Adult Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) at  Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: presumably Bubo virginianus lagophonus
Weight: 1.6-2.5kg  /  Length: 43-64cm  /  Wingspan: 91-153cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large powerful species of owl with the widest distribution of any "true" owl in the Americas which will take any prey it can overpower. A relation of the Eagle Owls of Africa and Eurasia, it is believe to be descended from birds that crossed the Bering Land bridge. Most prey is killed by crushing with the feet and they are are more than capable of killing decent sized mesopredators including decent sized mustelids, and on rare occassion, cats or small dogs.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Bubo
SUBSPECIES: B. v. algistus, B. v. lagophonus, B. v. saturatus, B. v. pacificus, B. v. subarcticus, B. v. pallescens, B. v. pinorum, B. v. heterocnemis, B. v. virginianus, B. v. elachistus, B. v. mayensis, B. v. mesembrinus, B. v. nigrescens, B. v. nacurutu, B. v. deserti

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present everywhere but the High Tundra
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

UNITED STATES - Present everywhere in the Lower 48 and all but the High Tundra of Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Heard in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Ninox (former synonym of Nisus - "sparrowhawk") japonica ("Japanese")

Adult Northern Boobook (subspecies N. j. japonica) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Ninox japonica japonica

Weight: 165g  /  Length: 29-33cm  /  Wingspan: ?

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

The Northern Boobook is another Japanese species which has recently been split from another species, in this case the Brown Hawk Owl.  From my limited experience of it, it seems to be a fairly common owl that is found in parkland in addition to its normal rural habitat.  It is found through East Asia - from Siberia, China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.  Unlike all of the European Owls, it apparently is an aerial hunter of insects rather than catching things on the ground.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Ninox
Subspecies: N. j. japonica, N. j. totogo

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - アオバズク /  Ao-ba Zuku ("Green-Leaf Owl")

A reasonably common Summer migrant.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single bird at Kyoto in the Imperial Palace Gardens.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Asio (specific designate of Long-eared Owl) flammeus ("fiery" or "flammulated"")

Adult Short-Eared Owl (subspecies A. f. flammeus) at Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Asio flammeus flammeus
Weight: 210-475g  /  Length: 32-43cm  /  Wingspan: 85-110cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Short-Eared Owl is perhaps one of the most visually striking UK owls, with its large yellow eyes.  Found on moorland for much of the year, it migrates south to more hospitible climes during the Winter where it may form roosts of multiple individuals, sometimes mixed with Long Earred Owls.  Unlike most owls, it is primarily a daylight flying bird, thus making it theoretically easier to see than all other species, it is however conversely more localised than Barn, Tawny or Little, so you actually need a reliable site to find them. 

Related Species:
Order:  Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Asio
Subspecies: A. f. flammeus, A. f. sandwichensis, A. f. domingensis, A. f. bogatensis, A. f. suinda, A. f. sanfordi, A. f. ponapensis, A. f. galapogoensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (600-2200 pairs) and scarce to locally abundant eruptive Winter visitor (5000-50000 birds)

 - Sites in good years have included Rutland Water, Harrington Airfield, Sheppey and Elmley Marshes

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Little Owl (Athene noctua)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Athene (after the Greek goddess, who bird was the owl) noctua (sacred owl of Athene)

Adult Little Owl (subspecies A. n. vidalii) at Geddington, Northants - November 2022

Featured Subspecies: Athene noctua vidalii
Weight: 180g  /  Length: 22cm  /  Wingspan: 56cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite theoretically being the second most common owl in Britain and being more diurnal that most, it is that last owl for me to see, during this challenge or otherwise. It's size might be a factor in that it makes it harder to distinguish at a distance. Combined with the fact that it doesn't roost in the day and is of much more subtle colouring that the distinctive pale barn owl it becomes a bird that is easy to see if you know where to look. When you do see one though it is definitely worth it as they are very charming little birds. Photographing them is at least helped by the fact you'll likely see them in daylight hours.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Athene
Subspecies: A. n. noctua, A. n. ubdugena, A. n. vidalii, A. n. glaux, A. . saharae, A. n. bactriana, A. n. indigena, A. n. spilagastra, A. n. somaliensis, A. n. orientalis, A. n. impasta, A. n. ludlowi, A. n. plumipes   

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An introduced resident (5,700 pairs)

 - A pair used to roost near Geddington. Birds also seen in Oare Marshes

SPAIN - Spanish -  Mochuelo común ("Common Owl")

A fairly common resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A pair living in the roof of an old barn at Laguna Navaseca

Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, Wikipedia, RSPB, Xeno-canto

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Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

OTHER NAMES: Brown Owl
Latin Etymology: Strix ("owl") aluco (Italian species specific name)

Adult Tawny Owl (subspecies S. a. sylvatica) at Eldernell, Cambridgeshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Strix aluco sylvatica
Weight: 470g  /  Length: 37-46cm  /  Wingspan: 81-105cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The UK's largest and most common established owl, the Tawny owl is the typical brown owl found in the UK. It is also the most obligate nocturnal of the five species, and can be one of the more difficult species to see in daylight. For the most part however, this is a bird far more often heard than seen, with it's iconic "twit-tuwoo"call, both at night and in the day, though it should be noted that this call is actually that of the male and female birds calling together.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
Subspecies: S. a. aluco, S. a. siberiae, S. a. sylvatica, S. a. mauritanica, S. a. willkonskii, S. a. sanctinicolai, S. a. harmsi, S. a. biddulphi  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but secretive resident (50,000 pairs)

 - Seen at Kensington Gardens, Nene Washes  and Geddington.    

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

OTHER NAMES: Common Long-eared Owl, Northern Long-eared Owl, Lesser Horned Owl
Latin Etymology: Asio (specific designate of Long-eared Owl) otus ("eared owl")

 Adult Long-aeared Owl (subspecies A. o. otus) at Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Asio otus otus
Weight: 250g  /  Length: 35-40cm  /  Wingspan: 90-100cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Long eared owls are one of the rarer species of owl in the UK and certainly the most secretive. Your best bet is probably to follow someone else discovery and look for them at a nature reserve where they have been reported as roosting. Keep a respectful distance from the roost and don't go off paths to avoid disturbing them. Photographically, you may, as I have, have to contended with photographing through a thicket producing less than ideal results.

Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Asio
Subspecies: A. o. otus, A. o. canariensis, A. o. tuftsi, A. o. wilsonianus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding resident (1800-6000 pairs) and rare Winter Visitor 

 - A single bird seen at Rutland Water in 2009, 4 birds at Deeping Lakes, Lincolnshire in January 2021, 2 birds at Nene Washes in February 2024

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, Wikipedia, RSPB, Xeno-canto

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Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

OTHER NAMES: Barn Owl, Western Barn Owl, White Owl, Church Owl
Latin Etymology: Tyto ("night-owl") alba ("white")

 Adult Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba) at Thornham, Norfolk - May 2024

Featured Subspecies: Tyto alba alba

Weight: 290g  /  Length: 33-39cm  /  Wingspan: 80-95cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the odds in theory seeming stacked against seeing one, the barn owl is possibly the easiest of the owls to see - it's bright white colouration, reasonably large size and the fact it hunts in the open making it easier than you would think. On the downside, as with all owls population density is low, and the barn owl has suffered in recent years from population decline, although it now seems to be stablising. Photography is tricky, if only because of the low light it is normally seen in.

Further Information:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Tytoninae
Genus: Tyto
Subspecies: T. a. alba, T. a. guttata, T. a. ernesti, T. a. erlangeri, T. a. affinis, T. a. schmitzi, T. a. gracilirotstris, T. a. detorta

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce breeding species (4000 pairs) and uncommon Winter visitor (approx. 12,000-25,000 birds).

 - Birds seen at various sites including Elmley Marshes, Rutland Water, Geddington, Trevose Head, Wooler and Oare Marshes

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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