Owls are adorable, with their big eyes and soft features that make them the most innocent birds around. Which owl species face are the cutest? Here are the list of the cutest face owl species you’ll ever see, along with some of their funniest facts!
This list has everything from the smallest owl to the largest one, so you’re sure to find an irresistible owl face in there somewhere!
1. Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
These small owls are often called white-faced owls because of their striking facial markings, which include pale eyebrows and a distinctive heart-shaped face. These birds live in most parts of North America.
They’re extremely active at night, but prefer to roost inside barns or other outbuildings during daylight hours. If you’re in need of pest control services, Barn Owls can be good helpers—they feed on mice and rats.
2. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
Native to Arctic regions, snowy owls have a stark white plumage that acts as camouflage when hunting prey during winter. The elegant heart-shape face is certainly cute, but it also helps direct warm air from their lungs to their body feathers and downy undercoats.
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This species is one of only two owl species native to North America (the other being a screech owl). Snowy owls are quite widespread within their range and are typically not threatened by human activity.
3. Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a large owl found in Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. It’s also called an Eagle Owl, because of its large and pure yellowish coloration. This species lives in forests and open country where it preys on rodents and other small mammals.
It will occasionally hunt birds or deer when smaller prey is scarce. These eagles owls are considered to be among some of Earth’s most powerful predators due to their massive size and amazing hunting abilities.
4. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
With its endearing looks and huge range, it’s no wonder that Great Horned Owls are one of our most common owl species in North America. A native species, they can be found from coast to coast across Canada and down into Mexico.
Found in both rural and urban areas, these owls are excellent hunters and will prey on anything from insects to small mammals. Their wide eyes and ears allow them to hunt even in low light conditions as well as fly very fast when needed.
5. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
The Burrowing owl is a small, desert-dwelling owl that’s native to North America. They have big eyes and round heads with adorable ear tufts. If you can get past their pizza face, you’ll find their personalities are pretty charming, too.
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These birds will dig holes in which to live and even help other animals like snakes and rabbits by opening up burrows for them to use as shelters—what an impressive feat for such tiny creatures!
6. Striped Owl (Asio clamator)
The adorable striped owl (Asio clamator) is a small owl native to much of Europe, as well as parts of Asia. The striped owl’s iridescent black and white feathers, heart-shaped face, and dangling round ear tufts make it one of the cutest species out there.
7. Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa)
A hefty and leggy member of the owl family, Great Gray Owls are native to Alaska and Canada. Most owls find prey in darkness, but Great Grays hunt during both daylight and twilight hours. Despite their lack of nocturnal habits, these owls are still formidable predators with a diet that consists primarily of small mammals.
They also rely on their camouflaged plumage for protection. With enormous eyes and an impressive wingspan that can reach 50 inches (127 cm), these birds are both adorable and intimidating!
8. Spectacled Owl (P. perspicillata)
The Spectacled Owl is native to South America, with an appearance that resembles a cuddly stuffed animal. With rounded head and eyes (which give it its cute nickname), it’s no wonder that these little guys are considered one of the cutest owl species on Earth.
They live in trees and hunt at night, but they can also be found roosting during the day in branches or tree hollows.
9. Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus)
With a long, gray face and big brown eyes, it’s hard to resist. The Boreal’s 3- to 4-inch length makes it among North America’s smallest owls. It is found in mountainous regions in Canada and US. It can live up to 20 years and typically mate for life.
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10. Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus)
With a wingspan of nearly four feet, an adult Long-Eared owl is one of the largest in North America. Native to deciduous forests and boreal woodlands, they have spectacular hearing that lets them hunt prey by sound. With eyesight more acute than any other land mammal, they can spot a mouse up to 100 yards away.
11. Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)
The Eastern Screech-Owl is found in both deciduous and coniferous forests, particularly those with large old trees and dense undergrowth. They hunt for voles, mice, moles, insects and other small mammals at night.
12. Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)
If you look at those little eyes, you might think they’re looking at you with equal parts curiousity and sadness. Don’t worry, he can’t see all that well—he uses his ears to hunt for voles.
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13. Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)
Growing to a maximum of 14 inches long, elf owls are found in parts of Central and South America. They have big, round eyes and soft, fluffy feathers on their heads. Their round faces make them look like little brown teddy bears with wings!
14. Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Barred owls are known for their distinctive who cooks for you? call. Native to forested areas, these birds often build nests in trees or on platforms built by humans, where they lay 3–7 eggs twice a year.
They get their name from thin barring on their chest that gives them a striped appearance when seen at a distance. Barred owls can grow up to 40 inches and have a wingspan of about five feet.
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15. Spotted Wood Owl (Strix seloputo)
The Spotted Wood Owl is a species of owl in a genus known as Strix, or true owls. This means that they belong to an evolutionary branch distinct from typical owls, which are more closely related to barn owls and other birds known as falcons.
The Spotted Wood Owl is found throughout large portions of sub-Saharan Africa and across Central Asia into China.
16. Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio)
With its large, circular head and wide-set eyes, it’s easy to see why screech owls are among the most adorable owl species. With a wingspan of 19 to 25 inches, adult Eastern Screech Owls are considered medium-sized owls. Like all screech owls, they have ear tufts and have white eyebrows that frame their eyes.
17. Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae)
The Masked Owl is an owl species endemic to Australia. In addition to being adorable, it’s also known for its remarkably wide vocal range of sounds, including clicks and hisses, allowing it to mimic other birds in order to disguise itself while hunting. It’s easily one of the most cute owl species!
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18. The Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
The Tawny Frogmouth might have a catchy name, but it’s no laughing matter. Its feathers are somewhat drab, and its overall shape is reminiscent of a vulture. Don’t let looks deceive you: This Australian owl species has one of nature’s cutest faces.
19. Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma)
These cute little owls are found in Canada, Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. They live in deciduous forests and do not migrate, so they can be quite hard to spot! When they’re not hunting, they roost on tree trunks.
They’re endangered throughout most of their range; only about 20 individuals remain in England. Luckily there are many breeding programs worldwide attempting to help owl survive.
