Where Do Owls Live? - Owl Habitats

The Strigiformes family constitutes a fairly diverse taxonomic group, including more than 220 species of birds of prey identified as owls. Owls have a very wide global distribution, being present on all continents except Antarctica. Due to this extensive reach, they are considered cosmopolitan animals.

Although owls have a vast distribution, 80% of owl species are found in the tropics. Some species alter their habitats for seasonal reasons, but less than 10% exhibit migratory behaviors within their range. To understand where owls live, we must examine some species in more detail, which we provide below.

Owls inhabit almost all types of terrestrial habitats within their distribution areas. However, most reside in various types of forests, which have specific conditions depending on the ecosystem. Almost all owl species are arboreal, but there are exceptions.

When we ask where owls live, we should know this is species-dependent. Here are some specific examples of the habitat of certain species of owls:

• Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus): this species is found in the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, with some migration to Canada. Although it is usually found in coniferous forests, it also inhabits deciduous and mixed forests. Depending on the season, it can be migratory and present in urban areas, demonstrating adaptability to different environments.
  
  
• Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus): has a wide distribution through forest areas in northern regions. It is found in North America, including Alaska and Canada, as well as Eurasia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Siberia, and some areas of Korea. This owl lives in subalpine and boreal forests, adapting to cold climates and often nesting in tree cavities.
  
  
• Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus): this owl species has one of the largest global distributions, being found throughout the American continent, from the north to Patagonia in South America. It is also on other continents, except Antarctica and Australia. Its preferred habitat includes open spaces without many trees, often associated with swamps and marshes, and relatively flat terrain, allowing it to hunt effectively on the ground.
  
  
• Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo): if you are wondering where the eagle owl lives, you should know this type of owl has a wide distribution range in both Europe and Asia. They are also found in North Africa. It prefers wild and peaceful spaces, typically associated with rocky ecosystems, cliffs, and ravines. It also favors areas with wooded patches in various types of forests and even river valleys and farmland, highlighting its adaptability to different landscapes.
  
  
• Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus): also known as the white owl, it is a widely distributed species in the northern circumpolar area. This means we can find them in Alaska, Canada, China, Greenland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Russia, among other regions. It thrives from sea level to about 300 meters above, in biomes such as tundra, flooded grasslands, plains, marshes, and even urban areas, showing remarkable resilience to different environmental conditions.
  
  
• Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): it is exclusive to America. Although the reproductive populations are from the United States, Canada, Suriname, and Uruguay, the groups extend to many other countries in the region. The habitat of this owl is composed of open ecosystems with little vegetation, such as desert areas, grasslands, plains, prairies, agricultural spaces, and even abandoned urban places, golf courses, and other urban areas. As their name suggests, they nest in burrows, sometimes occupying vacated mammal burrows. They don't spend as much time in trees and have longer legs adapted to running on the ground, which is a unique characteristic among owls.
  
  
• Black-and-white owl (Ciccaba nigrolineata): this species lives in Central and South America, although it can be found in certain locations ranging from Mexico to Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru. It inhabits various types of forests, such as humid, semi-deciduous, or evergreen. It is common for it to live near urban areas, as it is not afraid of humans, indicating a high level of adaptability to anthropogenic environments.

To learn more about these incredible birds, we take a look at the issue of keeping owls as pets.

When wondering where owls live, we most likely want to know about their habits. While two owl species can live in similar habitats, it doesn't necessarily mean they will have the same nesting and hunting habits. Generally speaking, owls do not build their own nests. Although a common practice in other bird species, owls tend to buck this trend.

As you may imagine, not building their own nest can present certain challenges. For reproduction, as with all birds, they need to lay eggs and find ways to protect these vulnerable incubators. For laying and incubating eggs, as well as rearing their young, many owls will use the nests of other birds and animals. This can be seen with the burrowing owl, which uses the burrows of prairie dogs and other animals to nest.

Another option for many owls is to use holes in trees created by other animals or people, as well as those occurring naturally. When owls roost, they may do so alone, in pairs, or even in larger groups of pairs. Owls tend to be monogamous, so the pairs typically stay with their own partner. When they take the nest of other animals, they will still insulate it and make it comfortable by bringing in natural materials, creating a secure environment for their young.

Some owl species may even nest directly on the ground, although they are a minority of species. This is the case with the snowy owl. The female will choose a hidden space on the ground and will excavate the soil directly. Without adding any other materials, she will lay her eggs in the space created, relying on camouflage and careful site selection for protection.

We can also mention the example of the eagle-owl, which is accustomed to seeking out cracks between rocks, cliffs, caves, or large nests of other birds to nest. Another case is that of the short-eared owl, which also nests on the ground but makes nests in spaces with tall vegetation. It is common for them to return to the same nest in the next reproductive period, demonstrating site fidelity.

As we have mentioned, owls are not generally migratory birds. They nest in the same areas where they typically reside, relying on the consistency of their chosen habitat to support their life cycle.

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