The 17 known species of Barn Owls throughout the world belong to the family Tytonidae, and the other 161 known species of owls belong to the family Strigidae. Classification of owls. Historically, only owls with ear-tufts were included here, but that is no longer so. Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. Their wings can spread to seven feet, which is … The overall coloration is tawny, mottled with brown, lighter below. Aggressive and powerful in its hunting (sometimes known by nicknames such as "tiger owl"), it takes prey as varied as rabbits, hawks, snakes, and even skunks, and will even attack porcupines, often with fatal results for both prey and predator. Owls belong to the phylogenetic class Aves. Great Horned Owls begin nesting very early in the Cape Eagle Owl Bubo capensis. The Eagle Owl is a group of birds in the taxonomic genus Bubo.They are closely related to the great horned owl and the snowy owl.. Its close relative, the great horned owl of North and South America, is another species of eagle owl. There are 15 different species of these owls, however, the best-known species is the Eurasian Eagle Owl (which we’ll call the “Eurasian”). Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus. Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus. No match for the owl. There are 2 distinct families of owls. Genus: Bubo (Snowy, Horned & Eagle Owls) Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus. Great horned owls have prominent ear tufts atop their head, one of several owl species that possess ear tufts. Eagle owl, (Bubo bubo), bird of the family Strigidae (order Strigiformes), characterized by its large size (often 70 centimetres [about 2.3 feet] long), two tufts of feathers on the head (ear tufts), and large orange eyes. Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus. The genus Bubo includes both the Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) and the Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo). The eagle owls, also known as horned owls, make up the genus Bubo. One is the family of Barn Owls, and the other consists of all other types of owls. Adaptable Owl. Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus. The most well-known is the Eurasian eagle owl, which is one of the largest species of owl in the world. The owl family is ancient — fossil owls are found in deposits more than 50 million years old. Great horned owls are beastly. Found almost throughout North America and much of South America is this big owl. While it may not be much of a nest-builder, the great horned owl is fierce, while a bald eagle is laid back, some even say lazy. The eagle owl roosts and breeds within rocky niches and hollow trees. So the great horned owls used the nest in 2004 while the eagle pair remained nest-less and nearby, Pelton reports. Like the Barn Owl and Short-eared Owl, the Great Horned Owl has a wide distribution, found from the northern boreal forests of Alaska and Canada south through the mountains and deserts of Patagonia — an impressively large portion of the Americas. Great grey owls are slightly longer in the body, and Blakiston’s fish owls are very close in weight, but only the Eurasian eagle owl boasts a six-and- a-half foot wingspan. Although there is disagreement, most bird taxonomists believe that the owls’ closest kin are the insect-eating nightjars (also called nighthawks). Bald eagles can weigh up to 14 pounds. But no. The Horned Owls - found in North and South America - were named for their prominent ear tufts that resemble horns. These owls have bright orange eyes, which indicates that they are crepuscular, or active at dawn and dusk. divided into two groups—the typical owls (STRIGIDAE) and the barn owls (TYTONIDAE). In a battle between an owl and an eagle, bet on the owl. 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