5 Of the Most Common Owls on Earth

Owls are one of the most famous animals on earth. They’re found in almost all parts of the world and they even play an important part in a number of cultures as a sign of good omen, the afterlife, and even intelligence and wisdom. In some areas, these birds are seen very often, even when these places are already urbanized.

Below are a few of the most common owls and were you can spot them.

Western Screech-Owl

Growing to a weight of half a pond and a size of 7 to 9 inches tall, these are commonly seen in the areas of west specifically the western areas of Canada and the U.S, as well as parts of central Mexico. One of the strangest things these birds do is that they take in blind snakes, which are worm-like reptiles, to their nest and allow them to live there. They do this to help their owlets feed better since the blind snake consumes pests like flies and ants whose larvae end up consuming their food reserves.

Barn Owl

Barn owls are probably the most common owls on earth. They’re seen in six continents, except for the extreme cold areas of northern North America, Asia and Europe. They can stand to a high of 15 inches and weigh in at a pound. A known feature of this bird is the spots that spread across their head and neck. These spots actually help them to become less susceptible to parasites. For female specimens, the more spots they have, the more attractive it is to males.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

A huge owl that’s seen in Asia and Europe, they can grow to about 23 to 29 inches and weigh in at 3 to 9 pounds. These owls hunt small mammals, birds, and even smaller owls. They are even known to attack large birds like Gray Herons. They hunt at dusk and quietly roam the sky with their 6.5 foot wingspan. The combination of sharp vision and a strong grip makes these birds one of the best hunters on air.

Eastern Screech-Owl

Seen in the areas of northeastern Mexico and the Rocky Mountains in the U.S., these owls can grow to 6 to 60 inches tall and weigh half a pound. No matter how urbanized the area is, the eastern screech-owl still thrives in it. It even lives in Central Park, which is found in one of the most populated cities on earth, New York City.

Flammulated Owl

These birds are seen in the southwestern parts of Canada till the western areas of the U.S. and Mexico during the summer during the summer, but during winter, their range in Mexico is not really known. Growing to about 6 inches tall and weighing in at 2 ounces, these owls make a low, husky sound that doesn’t really match its small body.