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Home > Birds and wildlife > Bird guide > Birds by family > Owls

Owls

Owls are specialised birds with round heads and rather flat or dished faces, with forward-facing eyes and a short, hooked bill. Most are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) but some may be seen by day. Many species are resident but others are more or less nomadic, wandering and settling wherever there is plentiful food. Residents may rear regular families of three or four chicks each year, while nomadic ones may rear many more young in ‘good’ years and none at all in others. Owls are found all over the temperate and tropical parts of the world.

Members of this family

This list only includes birds that occur regularly within the UK.

Barn owl

Barn owls can be seen hunting in daylight, as well as at night, in winter when food is often harder to find.

Barn owl (illustration)

Little owl

This small owl was introduced to the UK in the 19th century. It can be seen in the daylight, usually perching on a tree branch, telegraph pole or rock. It will bob its head up and down when alarmed. ...

Little owl (illustration)

Long-eared owl

The long-eared owl is medium-sized owl, smaller in size than a woodpigeon. It often looks long and thin, with head feathers (known as ear tufts even though they are not ears) which it raises when alar...

Long-eared owl (illustration)

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owls are medium sized owls with mottled brown bodies, pale under-wings and yellow eyes. They are commonly seen hunting during the day. In winter, there is an influx of continental birds (...

Short-eared owl (illustration)

Tawny owl

The tawny owl is an owl the size of a pigeon. It has a rounded body and head, with a ring of dark feathers around its face surrounding the dark eyes. It is mainly reddish brown above and paler underne...

Tawny owl (illustration)

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 12/06/2007 09:53:48
Show/hide picture credits
Arctic tern sitting on nest in grass - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1614057_00104_002)
Male bearded tit perching on Phragmites - Steve Round
Male capercaillie displaying at lek in pine woods at the RSPB Abernethy Forest nature reserve - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 9001998_00445_002)