Owls are magnificent, intriguing creatures that are also formidable birds of prey. With around 250 species of owl worldwide, their skills include being able to turn their heads most of a circle (about 270 degrees), having a reversible toe and very large heads.
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With their large faces and usually very big eyes - which are not actually eyeballs, but immobile tube-shaped eyes - they are often more readily associated with being cute. But they are in fact ruthless hunters and there are more than a few of them that are also very weird.
10 of the weirdest owls on the planet
Long-eared owl (Asio otus)
One of the most secretive birds in Britain, the long-eared owl has some of the most impressive ear tufts of the animal kingdom.
They are so difficult to find that it's hard to work out how many of them there are still in the wild. And their long 'ears' aren't actually ears, they are plumes of feathers that don't help hearing at all. Instead they communicate mood and help to make them appear larger.
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
Burrowing owls live mostly on the ground, although they can actually fly. They live in grasslands of North and South America and as a result give off distinct meerkat vibes when they are all together on the plains. In fact, they live in burrows in the ground that have usually been constructed by other animals.
These owls are active during the day, but they do still have great night vision. They are also known to listen for prairie dog alarms and become more alert when they hear a prairie dog shout about danger.
Spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)
So-called because of its ring of different coloured plumage around the eyes, the spectacled owl lives in lowland tropical forests in south America, from Argentina to Mexico.
The juvenile owls' plumage has much more white colouring around the head (as can be seen in this image) which changes as it gets older to evoke the round spectacle look.
Oriental bay owl (Phodilus badius)
These owls take large eyes to another level. Their huge, striking black eyes are particularly contrasted by the pale colour of the feathers on their faces and as a result they are often dubbed as ghost-like. Exceptionally rare, they are very private birds - although their songs are very unique. They hoot as well as scream and create high-pitched whistles that are short and long.
If you're looking for the spookiest owl - this might be it.
Great grey owl (Strix nebulosa)
The great grey owl may look huge, but is in fact hiding a surprisingly small body under that deep feathery coat. While in length it is a contender for the world's largest owl, its body is much lighter than other large owls.
Its face is huge, however, and the great grey owl is thought to have the largest facial disc of any other raptor on Earth. Its face acts as a satellite disc, which directs sound towards the owls ears.
Northern Saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus)
This teeny-tiny owl is native to North America and is one of the smallest owl species out there. Named after its calls, the saw-whet owl makes a sort of rasping sound that's a little like a saw on a whet-stone.
A similar size to an American robin, the saw-whet owl can weigh anywhere between 54 to 151 grams and are between 17 and 22 xm long. A saw-whet owl was once discovered wrapped in the branches of the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree - she'd been transported 170 miles on a three-day road trip.
Barking owl (Ninox connivens)
Found in Australia and parts of New Guinea, this owl's weirdness is all about its call. As you'd expect from its name, the barking owl can make a sound that seems a lot like a dog barking. But it can also howl like a human in pain, which means in some places it is called the 'screaming woman bird'. These owls aren't nocturnal, and are most active during early mornings and late afternoons.
Pel's fishing owl (Scotopelia peli)
This weird looking owl is one of the largest you'll find in the world, measuring around 51-63 cm tall and weighing over 2 kg. It eats exclusively fish and frogs from rivers - although there are reports of one hunting a small Nile crocodile - and is one of the most elusive of owls.
The Pel's fishing owl has very few feathers on its feet to avoid them getting wet, and spikes on the bottoms of its feet so it can grip slimy prey from the water.
Spotted wood owl (Strix seloputo)
Another owl that looks a little like something from outer-space, the spotted wood owl has spots on its head and wings, a bright orange facial disc and stripes all over its stomach. In terms of fashion points, this owl wins for sartorial elegance. Looking a little bit like a well dressed ewok, the spotted wood owl lives around Myanmar and Malaysia.
Elf owl (Micrathene whitneyi)
The tiny elf owl is the smallest species of owl in the world. Weighing less than your average tennis ball, this owl is usually around 12-14cm long and lives in the deserts of the US and Mexico. It tends to live in tiny holes and cavities in trees or cacti.
Tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
Could this be the weirdest owl on Earth? Well, no, because although it can look a lot like an owl, these birds belong to the frogmouth genus.
Often mistaken for an owl, because it looks similar and is also nocturnal, the tawny frogmouth is native to Australia and Tasmania. Other similarities to owls include wide eyes and anisodachtyl feet. Tawny frogmouths are very good at camouflage, but they are primarily insectivores, catch their prey with their beaks and have weak feet.
Top image credit: fotograv/Getty Images
