CUBAN STRIGIFORMES - Owls

Owls have sharp, hooked bills; large, forward-facing eyes; big heads; round or heart-shaped faces; flexible necks; long bodies; sharp talons; and soft, thick feathers. Many species have feathered legs and feet.

Most species are nocturnal; their soft feathers help them fly silently after their prey. Owls eat small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, eggs, and fish.

Most owls have cryptic coloration that helps camouflage them from their prey. Males and females look alike, but males are usually larger. Owls have distinctive vocalizations that range from soft hoots to screeching calls.

There are six species of owl found in Cuba. Two species, the Cuban pygmy owl and the bare-legged owl are only found in Cuba. The Cuban pygmy owl is a tiny owl found in forests and woodlands across Cuba. It comes in two color morphs - reddish brown and gray. Unlike most pygmy owls, the Cuban pygmy owl is active in the day. The bare-legged owl is also found in forests and woodlands across Cuba. It is a small owl about 7-9 inches in length. It has long, bare legs and a rounded head with no ear-tufts.

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CUBAN STRIGIFORMES - Owls

Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in the Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced Breeds in NH (Birds)
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Location
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image

Species	Sounds	Occurrence
Barn Owl -  Tyto alba		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Bernabe Lopez-Lanus
Bare-legged Owl - Gymnoglaux lawrencii	No Audio Available	Endemic
Cuban Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium siju		Endemic
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org John King
Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Miguel Angel Roda
Stygian Owl - Asio stygius		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Nick Athanas
Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus		Year-round
	Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Daniel Lane

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Barn Owl - Tyto alba 
The barn owl is found from British Columbia, North Dakota, Michigan, and southern New England south to South America. It is also found in Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia.
Source:Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Barn Owl - Tyto alba 
When a barn owl is threatened, it spreads its wings and sways its head back and forth. It may also fall on its back and strike out at the threat with its feet.
Source:Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Barn Owl - Tyto alba 
The barn owl is a nocturnal hunter. It eats small mammals like mice, shrews, voles, and rats.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bare-legged Owl - Gymnoglaux lawrencii
The bare-legged owl is only found in Cuba.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cuban Pygmy-owl - Glaucidium siju  
The Cuban pygmy-owl is only found in Cuba.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia  
The burrowing owl is found in the western U.S. south to South America. It is also found in Florida and the Caribbean.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia  
The burrowing owl nests underground.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia  
The burrowing owl is found in dry, open areas with no trees and short grass.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Stygian Owl - Asio stygius  
The stygian owl is found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. It is also found in Florida and the Caribbean.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus   
The Short-eared Owl has a very large range; it is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica! In North America, it is found throughout Alaska, Canada, the continental United States and Northern Mexico. The Short-eared Owl is migratory. In the summer, the owl breeds throughout Canada and Alaska. Come winter, the owl moves south, living as far south as Mexico and the Caribbean.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus   
Unlike most other owls, the Short-eared Owl hunts during the day.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus   
The Short-eared Owl likes to live in open areas like marshes and bogs.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School