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Owls

The true owls, or typical owls (Strigidae), make up one of the two main owl families, with around 230 species distributed across 24 genera. These owls, found everywhere but Antarctica, have diverse sizes—from the tiny elf owl to the large Eurasian eagle-owl. Common features include large heads, short tails, camouflaged plumage, and round facial discs, with females often being larger than males. Owls are generally arboreal, silent hunters with specialized feathers allowing noiseless flight. Their wings are designed for stealth, with a comb-like structure on the leading edge and a soft, fringed trailing edge. Owls have excellent hearing with asymmetrical ears for pinpointing prey, while their head can turn up to 270 degrees thanks to specialized neck adaptations. Some species have fluorescent pigments under their wings. They are nocturnal or crepuscular, often misunderstood as tame due to their still behavior when approached. Communication may include visual signals and even fecal markings to convey territory or breeding status. Some owl species are migratory, like the northern saw-whet owl. Their survival and reproduction can depend on the habitat, with old-growth forests providing protection. Fires and climate change impact their habitat, while competition for resources can be intense, such as between the spotted and barred owls wherein the latter is pushing the former towards local extinction. Regarding predators, owls are mainly threatened by other owl species. Parasites like avian malaria also affect certain species like the spotted owl. The family's classification has evolved with recent studies, leading to updates in the taxonomy and a reorganization of genera and species. This diverse family's fossil record dates back around 60 million years and includes several prehistoric genera, although the exact placement of some fossil species remains uncertain.

Regions

A photo of a Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Bubo bubo
A photo of a Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum)
Eurasian Pygmy Owl
Glaucidium passerinum
A photo of a Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)
Great Grey Owl
Strix nebulosa
A photo of a Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)
Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
A photo of a Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Little Owl
Athene noctua
A photo of a Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
A photo of a Marsh Owl (Asio capensis)
Marsh Owl
Asio capensis
A photo of a Scops Owl (Otus scops)
Scops Owl
Otus scops
A photo of a Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
A photo of a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) , male
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
A photo of a Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)
Tawny Owl
Strix aluco
A photo of a Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus)
Tengmalm's Owl
Aegolius funereus
A photo of a Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)
Ural Owl
Strix uralensis
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Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
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Species Categories

AccentorsAfrican & New World ParrotsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBearded ReedlingBee-eatersBuntingsBushshrikesBushtitsBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCranesCrows, JaysCuckoosDippersDucks, Geese, SwansFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFlamingosFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGoldcrests, KingletsGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsIbises, SpoonbillsKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMockingbirds, ThrashersNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsNuthatchesOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlsOystercatchersPelicansPenduline TitsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWallcreeperWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWaxwingsWeavers, WidowbirdsWoodpeckersWrensYellow-breasted Chat
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What Our Birders Say
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️

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