Owls are mysterious birds of prey that have captivated humans for millennia. With over 250 species spread across the world, owls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. But when it comes to the most widespread and frequently spotted owl, a few species stand out from the parliament.
What makes an owl common?
Several factors contribute to an owl being considered common in a region, including:
- Large habitat range – Owls with expansive territories across multiple habitat types are more likely to be prevalent.
- Abundant population – A large, stable owl population results in more frequent sightings.
- Adaptability – Flexible owls that can thrive around human activity and disturbance tend to be more common.
- Conspicuousness – Noisy or active owls during the day or night are easier for people to spot.
- Familiarity – Well-known species tend to be labelled as common, even if less numerous than other owls.
Taking these elements into account, a handful of owls stand out as the most widespread and familiar in different parts of the world.
The Common Barn Owl
Arguably the most deserving of the “common” epithet is the Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba). Found on every continent except Antarctica, this pale, heart-faced owl has one of the broadest distributions of any bird species. It inhabits a wide array of open to semi-open habitats from grasslands to deserts to farmland. Common Barn Owls are also extremely numerous with a global population estimated between 25 to 100 million individual owls.
True to their name, these owls frequently nest and roost in barns, abandoned buildings, and other structures that mimic their traditional cliffside homes. Their screeching calls are a familiar nighttime occurrence in rural areas across their range. Common Barn Owls are opportunistic hunters, flying low over fields in search of rodents, rabbits, and other small prey.
While globally abundant, Common Barn Owl numbers have declined in parts of Europe and North America due to agricultural intensification and rodenticide poisoning. Yet they remain one of the most visible and iconic owl species worldwide.
Other Contenders for Common Barn Owl Territory:
- Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba guttata) – North and South America
- Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto delicatula) – Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands
The Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is likely the most common owl across the Americas. Its range stretches from northern Alaska to the tip of South America, occupying a wide range of forest and semi-open habitat types. These large, reddish-brown owls are equally at home in dense woods and city parks.
Great Horned Owls are the earliest nesting owls in North America, breeding in late winter. Their loud, reverberating hoots are a staple sound of nighttime in their territory. Though mostly nocturnal, these powerful raptors occasionally hunt during daylight as well. Versatile hunters, Great Horned Owls feed on reptiles, hares, skunks, geese and other sizable prey in addition to rodents.
While habitat loss has impacted Great Horned Owl populations in parts of their range, they remain common to abundant across most of the Americas with an estimated global population ranging from 1 to 15 million owls.
Other Contenders for Great Horned Owl Territory:
- Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) – Europe, Asia, North Africa
- Pharaoh Eagle Owl (Bubo ascalaphus) – Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East
The Little Owl
Of the European owl species, the Little Owl (Athene noctua) stands out as the most common and widespread. Native to southern and central Europe, Little Owls have expanded their range across most of Europe thanks to introductions. These tiny, round-headed owls reach peak numbers in agricultural areas, wooded steppes, and rural settings across their adopted homelands.
Though small, Little Owls are fierce defenders of their nesting territories, chasing off larger birds. They mainly hunt insects, worms, small rodents and reptiles. Little Owls are primarily nocturnal but can be spotted resting on perches and nest holes during daylight. Their numbers have declined in parts of northern Europe but they remain common to abundant across most of their European range.
Other Contenders for Little Owl Territory:
- Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) – Northern Europe
- Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) – Northern Europe, Asia
The Common Scops Owl
The diminutive Common Scops Owl (Otus scops) holds the distinction of the most common and widespread owl across the diverse habitats of Africa. From desert to grassland to forest, this pint-sized raptor occupies territory across the continent and on nearby islands like Madagascar. Common Scops Owls hunt insects, spiders, scorpions and small vertebrates while skillfully camouflaged against tree bark.
Common Scops Owls are named for their repetitive, musical chirping song that rings out on summer nights. They readily nest in trees and bushes in urban areas. Continued widespread habitat loss presents a threat to Common Scops Owl populations in parts of their range but they remain Africa’s most common owl species.
Other Contenders for Common Scops Owl Territory:
- Spotted Eagle Owl (Bubo africanus) – Sub-Saharan Africa
- Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) – Sub-Saharan Africa
The Southern Boobook
With a distribution spanning mainland Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and Indonesia, the Southern Boobook (Ninox boobook) frequents more terrain Down Under than any other owl. It occupies open eucalyptus woodlands but readily adapts to suburban parks and gardens. The Southern Boobook’s laughing, two-note call “boo-book” is a signature sound during the night across its Australian range.
Appropriately named for its big staring eyes and round facial disk, the Southern Boobook feeds mainly on insects and small mammals. Though habitat loss has impacted some populations, particularly in southeastern Australia, the Southern Boobook remains a very common resident owl across most of mainland Australia with an estimated population in the hundreds of thousands.
Other Contenders for Southern Boobook Territory:
- Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) – Australia
- Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto delicatula) – New Guinea, Indonesia
The Burrowing Owl
Among the world’s owls, the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is arguably the most at ease in open, treeless landscapes. This long-legged ground dweller lives up to its name occupying abandoned burrows and crevices in grasslands, deserts and scrubland throughout the Americas. Burrowing Owl populations peak across the prairies of North America and grasslands of South America.
The Burrowing Owl tolerates high exposure unlike most other owls. These tiny raptors hunt insects, small mammals and reptiles during the day or night. Though still considered common, declines due to habitat loss and pesticide use have impacted Burrowing Owl numbers in regions such as western North America.
Other Contenders for Burrowing Owl Territory:
- Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) – Americas, Eurasia, North Africa
- Little Owl (Athene noctua) – Central and South America
Conclusion
While many owl species ubiquitously occupy their wild habitats, a select few have adapted successfully to share the landscape with humans. These common owls remind us that the wildlife around us can thrive if their needs are met. Protecting areas of open habitat, limiting rodenticide use, and learning to appreciate the birds in our midst will help ensure these common owls remain a familiar presence in nights to come.