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.