Editing Strigidae

{{Short description|Family of birds}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Strigidae
| taxon = Strigidae
| authority = [[William Elford Leach|Leach]], 1819
| fossil_range = [[Early Eocene]] to present
| image = Eastern Screetch-Owl.jpg
| image_caption = [[Eastern screech owl]]
| type_genus = ''[[Strix (bird)|Strix]]''
| type_genus_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]]
| subdivision = some 25, see text
| synonyms = Striginae <small>''sensu'' Sibley & Ahlquist</small>
}}

The '''true owls''' or '''typical owls''' ([[family (biology)|family]] '''Strigidae''') are one of the two generally accepted families of [[owl]]s, the other being the barn owls and bay owls ([[Tytonidae]]).  This large family comprises 230 living or recently extinct [[species]] in 24 [[genus|genera]]. The Strigidae owls have a [[cosmopolitan distribution]] and are found on every continent except [[Antarctica]].

==Morphology==
[[File:Strix nebulosa plumage.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Cross sectioned [[great grey owl]] specimen showing the extent of the body plumage, Zoological Museum, Copenhagen]]
[[File:Squelette de Strigidae MHNT.jpg|thumb|upright|Skeleton of a Strigidae owl]]
While typical owls (hereafter referred to simply as owls) vary greatly in size, with the smallest species, the [[elf owl]], being a hundredth the size of the largest, the [[Eurasian eagle-owl]] and [[Blakiston's fish owl]], owls generally share an extremely similar body plan.<ref name = "HBW">Marks, J. S.; Cannings, R.J. and Mikkola, H. (1999). "Family Strigidae (Typical Owls)". ''In'' del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) (1999). ''[[Handbook of the Birds of the World]]. Volume 5: Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds.'' Lynx Edicions. {{ISBN|84-87334-25-3}}</ref> They tend to have large heads, short tails, cryptic [[plumage]], and round facial discs around the eyes. The family is generally [[arboreal]] (with a few exceptions like the [[burrowing owl]]) and obtain their food on the wing. The wings are large, broad, rounded, and long. As is the case with most [[bird of prey|birds of prey]], in many owl species [[sexual dimorphism|females are larger]] than males.<ref name=Earhart/>

Because of their [[nocturnal animal|nocturnal]] habits, they tend not to exhibit [[sexual dimorphism]] in their plumage. Specialized feathers and wing shape suppress the noise produced by flying, both taking off, flapping and gliding.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=Hermann |last2=Weger |first2=Matthias |last3=Klaas |first3=Michael |last4=Schröder |first4=Wolfgang |title=Features of owl wings that promote silent flight |journal=Interface Focus |date=6 February 2017 |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=20160078 |doi=10.1098/rsfs.2016.0078 |pmid=28163870 |pmc=5206597 }}</ref> This silent flight allows owls to hunt without being heard by their prey. Owls possess three physical attributes that are thought to contribute to their silent flight capability. First, on the leading edge of the wing, there is a comb of stiff feathers. Second, the trailing edge of the wing contains a flexible fringe.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Rozhin |last1=Hajian |first2=Justin W. |last2=Jaworski |name-list-style=amp |title=The steady aerodynamics of aerofoils with porosity gradients |journal= Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences|volume=473 |issue=2205 |pages=20170266 |date=2017 |doi=10.1098/rspa.2017.0266 |pmid=28989307 |pmc=5627374 |bibcode=2017RSPSA.47370266H }}</ref> Finally, owls have downy material distributed on the tops of their wings that creates a compliant but rough surface (similar to that of a soft carpet). All these factors result in significant aerodynamic noise reductions.<ref name="American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics">{{cite web |title=The secrets of owls' near noiseless wings |date=24 November 2013 |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131124093515.htm |website=Science Daily |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref> The toes and tarsi are feathered in some species, and more so in species at higher latitudes.<ref name=Kelso/> Numerous species of owls in the genus ''[[Pygmy owl|Glaucidium]]'' and the [[northern hawk-owl]] have eye patches on the backs of their heads, apparently to convince other birds they are being watched at all times.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} Numerous nocturnal species have ear-tufts, feathers on the sides of the head that are thought to have a [[camouflage]] function, breaking up the outline of a roosting bird. The feathers of the [[facial disc]] are arranged in order to increase sound delivered to the ears.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} Hearing in owls is highly sensitive and the ears are asymmetrical allowing the owl to localise a sound in multiple directions. Owls can pinpoint the position of prey, such as a squeaking mouse, by computing when the sound from the object reaches the owl's ears. If the sound reaches the left ear first, the mouse must be to the left of the owl. The owl's brain will then direct the head to directly face the mouse.<ref name="Stanford University Medical Center">{{cite web |title=An owl's early lessons leave their mark on the brain |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/03/980306043618.htm |website=Science Daily |date = 6 March 1998 |access-date=22 November 2019}}</ref> In addition to hearing, owls have massive eyes relative to their body size. Contrary to popular belief, however, owls cannot see well in extreme dark and are able to see well in the day.<ref name ="HBW"/>

Owls are also able to rotate their heads by as much as 270 degrees in either direction without damaging the blood vessels in their necks and heads, and without disrupting blood flow to their brains. Researchers have found four major biological adaptations that allow for this unique capability. First, in the neck there is a major artery, called the vertebral artery, that feeds the brain. This artery passes through bony holes in the vertebra. These bony holes are ten times larger in diameter than the artery that passes through them (extra space in the transverse foramina) which creates air pockets that allow for more movement of the artery when twisted. 12 of the 14 cervical vertebrae in the owl's neck have this adaptation. This vertebral artery also enters the neck higher up than it does in other birds. Instead of going in at the 14th cervical vertebrae, it enters in at the 12th cervical vertebrae. Finally, the small vessel connection between the carotid and the vertebral arteries allow the exchanging of blood between two blood vessels. These cross connections allow for uninterrupted blood flow to the brain. This means that even if one route is blocked during extreme head rotations, another route can continue blood circulation to the brain.<ref name="Johns Hopkins Medicine">{{cite web |title=Scientists explain how bird can rotate its head without cutting off blood supply to the brain |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130131144102.htm |date = 31 January 2013 |website=Science Daily |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref>

Several owl species also have fluorescent pigments called [[porphyrin]]s under their wings. A large group of pigments defined by nitrogen-containing pyrole rings, including chlorophyll and heme (in animal blood), make up the porphyrins. Other bird species will use porphyrins to pigment eggshells in the oviduct. Owl species, however, use porphyrins as a pigment in their plumage. Porphyrins are most prevalent in new feathers and are easily destroyed by sunlight. Porphyrin pigments in feathers fluoresce under UV light, allowing biologists to more accurately classify the age of owls. The relative ages of the feathers are differentiated by the intensity of fluorescence that they emit when the [[Flight feather#Primaries|primaries]] and [[Flight feather#Secondaries|secondaries]] are exposed to [[black light]]. This method helps to detect the subtle differences between third and fourth generation feathers, whereas looking at wear and color makes age determination difficult.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Weidensaul |first1=C. Scott |first2=Bruce A. |last2=Colvin |first3=David F. |last3=Brinker |first4=J. Steven |last4=Huy |name-list-style=amp |title=Use of ultraviolet light as an aid in age classification of owls |journal=The Wilson Journal of Ornithology |date=June 2011 |volume=123 |issue=2 |pages=373–377|url=http://www.projectowlnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Ultraviolet-light-in-ageing-owls-Weidensaul-et-al-2011.pdf |access-date=30 January 2020|doi=10.1676/09-125.1 |s2cid=28913007 }}</ref>

==Niche competition==

It has been noted that there is some competition for [[Ecological niche|niche space]] between the [[spotted owl]] and the [[barred owl]] (both of which are true owls) . This competition is related to [[deforestation]], and therefore a reduction in niche quantity and quality. This deforestation is more specifically the result of [[overlogging]] and [[Wildfire|forest fires]]. These two species of owl are known to traditionally live in [[Old-growth forest|mature forests]] of old and tall trees, which are now mostly limited to [[public land]]s. As niche overlap is occurring in these two families, there is a concern with the barred owls encroaching on the spotted owl's [[North America]]n habitats, causing a decline of the spotted owl.<ref name="Wiens"/> As noted above, these species prefer mature forests which, due to deforestation, are at limited supply and take a long time to reestablish after deforestation has occurred. Because the [[northern spotted owl]] shares its territories and competes with other species, it is declining at a more rapid pace. This invasion by barred owls occurred about 50 years ago in the [[Pacific Northwest]], and despite their low numbers, they are considered an [[invasive species]] because of the harm done to native spotted owls. In this [[Competition (biology)|competition for resources]], hunting locations and general niches, the barred owl is pushing the spotted owl to [[local extinction]]. It is thought that the rapid decrease in population size of spotted owls will cause a [[trophic cascade]], since the spotted owls help provide a healthy [[ecosystem]].<ref name="Yackulic"/>

==Behaviour==
Owls are generally [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] and/or [[Crepuscular animal|crepuscular]] and spend much of the day [[roosting]]. They are often misperceived as ‘tame’ since they allow humans to approach quite closely before taking flight, but in reality they are attempting to avoid detection through stillness. Their cryptic [[plumage]] and the inconspicuous locations they adopt are an effort to avoid predators and [[Mobbing behaviour|mobbing]] by small birds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livescience.com/56146-are-all-owls-nocturnal.html|title=Are All Owls Actually Night Owls?|last=Geggel|first=Laura|date=September 19, 2016|website=LiveScience}}</ref>

==Communication==
Owls, such as the [[Horned owl|eagle-owl]], will use visual signaling in [[Animal communication|intraspecific communication]] (communication within the species), both in territorial habits and parent-offspring interactions. Some researchers believe owls can employ various visual signals in other situations involving [[Biological interaction|intraspecific interaction]]. Experimental evidence suggests that [[Pellet (ornithology)|owl feces]] and the remains of prey can act as visual signals. This new type of signaling behavior could potentially indicate the owls' current reproductive state to intruders, including other [[Territory (animal)|territorial]] owls or non-breeding floaters. Feces are an ideal material for marking due to its minimal energetic costs, and can also continue to indicate territorial boundaries even when occupied in activities other than territorial defense. Preliminary evidence also suggests that owls will use feces and the feathers of their prey to signal their breeding status to members within the same species.<ref name="Owls May Use Feces and Prey Feathers to Signal Current Reproduction">{{cite journal |first1=Vincenzo |last1=Penteriani |first2=Maria |last2=del Mar Delgado |title=Owls may use faeces and prey feathers to signal current reproduction |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/36018785.pdf |journal=PLOS ONE |date=August 2008 |volume=3 |issue=8 |page=e3014 |name-list-style=amp|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0003014 |pmid=18714382 |pmc=2507733 |bibcode=2008PLoSO...3.3014P |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Migration==

Some species of owl are migratory. One such species, the [[northern saw-whet owl]], migrates south even when food and resources are ample in the north.<ref name="Avian Malaria">{{cite web |title=Avian malaria behind drastic decline of London's iconic sparrow? |date=16 July 2019 |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190716193553.htm |website=Science Daily |access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref>

==Habitat, climate and seasonal changes==

Some owls have a higher survival rate and are more likely to reproduce in a habitat that contains a mixture of old growth forests and other vegetation types. Old growth forests provide ample dark areas for owls to hide from predators <ref name="Ecological Society of America">{{cite web |title=Taking The Long View: Examining Factors Which Influence Northern Spotted Owls |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001122175749.htm |website=Science Daily |access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> Like many organisms, spotted owls rely on forest fires to create their habitat and provide areas for foraging. Unfortunately, climate change and intentional fire suppression have altered natural fire habits. Owls avoid badly burned areas but they benefit from the mosaics of heterogeneous habitats created by fires. This is not to say that all fires are good for owls. Owls only thrive when fires are not of high severity and not large stand-replacing (high-severity fires that burn most of the vegetation) which create large canopy gaps that are not adequate for owls.<ref name = "Eyes"/>

==Parasites==

Avian malaria or ''[[Plasmodium relictum]]'' affects owls and specifically, 44% of northern and Californian spotted owls harbor 17 strains of the parasite. As mentioned in the niche competition section above, spotted owls and barred owls are in competition so their niche overlap may be resulting in the plasmodium parasite having more hosts in a concentrated area but this is not certain.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ishack |first1=Heather |last2=Dumbacher |first2=John |last3=Anderson |first3=Nancy |last4=Keane |first4=John |last5=Valkiūnas |first5=Gediminas |last6=Haig |first6=Susan |last7=Tell |first7=Lisa |last8=Sehgal |first8=Ravinder |title=Blood parasites in owls with conservation implications for the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis). |journal=PLOS ONE |date=2008 |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=e2304|bibcode=2008PLoSO...3.2304I |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0002304 |pmid=18509541 |pmc=2387065 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Predators==
The main predators of owls are other species of owls. An example of this occurs with the northern saw-whet owl that lives in the northern U.S. and lives low to the ground in brushy areas typically of cedar forests. These owls eat mice, and perch in trees at eye level. Their main predators are barred owls and great horned owls.<ref>Voous, Karel H. (1988) ''Owls of the Northern Hemisphere.'' MIT Press. {{ISBN|978-0262220354}}</ref>

==Systematics==
[[File:Pulsatrix perspicillata.jpg|thumb|[[Spectacled owl]] (''Pulsatrix perspicillata'')]]
The [[Family (biology)|family]] Strigidae was introduced by the English zoologist [[William Elford Leach]] in a guide to the contents of the [[British Museum]] published in 1819.<ref>{{ cite book | last=Leach | first=William Elford | author-link=William Elford Leach  | year=1819 | chapter=Eleventh Room | title=Synopsis of the Contents of the British Museum | location=London | publisher=British Museum | edition=15th | pages=63–68 [64] | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YSlhAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA67 }} Although the name of the author is not specified in the document, Leach was the Keeper of Zoology at the time.</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Bock | first=Walter J. | author-link=Walter Joseph Bock | year=1994 | title=History and Nomenclature of Avian Family-Group Names | series=Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History | volume= 222 | publisher=American Museum of Natural History | location=New York | pages=142, 245 | hdl=2246/830 | url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/830 }}<!--Linked page allows download of the 48MB pdf--><!-- Bock cites the 17th edition from 1820 but the name was included in the 15th edition published in 1819--></ref>

A [[molecular phylogenetic]] study of the owls by Jessie Salter and collaborators published in 2020 found that the family Strigidae was divided into two [[sister taxon|sister]] clades and some of the traditional genera were [[paraphyletic]]. The placement of three monotypic genera remained uncertain due to the degraded nature of the available DNA.<ref name=salter>{{Cite journal | last1=Salter | first1=J.F. | last2=Oliveros | first2=C.H. | last3=Hosner | first3=P.A. | last4=Manthey | first4=J.D. | last5=Robbins | first5=M.B. | last6=Moyle | first6=R.G. | last7=Brumfield | first7=R.T. | last8=Faircloth | first8=B.C. | date=2020 | title=Extensive paraphyly in the typical owl family (Strigidae) | journal=The Auk | volume=137 | issue=ukz070 | doi=10.1093/auk/ukz070| doi-access=free | hdl=2346/93048 | hdl-access=free }}</ref> Based on these results [[Frank Gill (ornithologist)|Frank Gill]], [[Pamela Rasmussen]] and David Donsker updated the online list of world birds that they maintain on behalf of the [[International Ornithological Committee]] (IOC).<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela Rasmussen | date=January 2023 | title=Owls | work=IOC World Bird List Version 13.1 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/owls/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=31 January 2022 }}</ref>

The [[cladogram]] below is based on the results of the study by Salter and collaborators published in 2020.<ref name=salter/> The subfamilies are those defined by [[Edward C. Dickinson|Edward Dickinson]] and [[James Van Remsen, Jr.|James Van Remsen Jr.]] in 2013.<ref>{{ cite book | editor-last1=Dickinson | editor-first1=E.C. | editor1-link=Edward C. Dickinson | editor-last2=Remsen | editor-first2=J.V. Jr. | editor2-link=James Van Remsen, Jr. | year=2013 | title=The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World | volume= 1: Non-passerines | edition=4th | place=Eastbourne, UK | publisher=Aves Press | isbn=978-0-9568611-0-8 | pages=258–277 }}</ref> A genetic study published in 2021 suggested that the genus ''Scotopelia'' may be embedded within ''Ketupa''.<ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Wink | first1=Michael | last2=Sauer-Gürth | first2=Heidi | date=2021 | title=Molecular taxonomy and systematics of owls (Strigiformes) - An update | journal=Airo | volume=29 | pages=487–500 | url=https://www.airo-spea.com/_files/ugd/8fea7e_6357cc4f0f3c481caf86b62c97cac1e0.pdf }}</ref>
[[File:Bubo blakistoni.jpg|thumb|[[Blakiston's fish owl]] (''Ketupa blakistoni'') the largest species of owl.]]
[[File:Tawnyowl03.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Tawny owl]] (''Strix aluco'')]]{{Clade| style=font-size:90%;line-height:90%
|label1=Strigidae
|1={{clade
   |1={{clade
      |1={{clade
         |label1=Ieraglaucinae
         |1={{clade
            |1=''[[Ninox]]'' – 36 species: hawk-owls and boobooks
            |2=''[[Uroglaux]]'' – Papuan hawk-owl (position uncertain)
            }}
         |label2=Surniinae
         |2={{clade
            |1={{clade
               |1={{clade
                  |1=''[[Aegolius]]'' – 5 species
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Athene (bird)|Athene]]'' – 9 species
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Glaucidium (bird)|Glaucidium]]'' – 29 species: pygmy owls
                        |2=''[[Surnia]]'' – northern hawk-owl
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Margarobyas]]'' – bare-legged owl (position uncertain)
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Taenioptynx]]'' – 2 species
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Micrathene]]'' – elf owl
                        |2=''[[Xenoglaux]]'' – long-whiskered owlet
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
|label2=Striginae      
      |2={{clade
         |1=''[[Otus (bird)|Otus]]'' – 58 species: scops owls
         |2={{clade
            |1={{clade
               |1=''[[Asio]]'' – 9 species in total
               |2=''[[Ptilopsis]]'' – 2 species
               }}
            |2={{clade
               |1={{clade
                  |1=''[[Jubula (bird)|Jubula]]'' – maned owl (position uncertain)
                  |2={{clade
                     |1=''[[Bubo (bird)|Bubo]]'' – 10 species: eagle-owls, horned-owls and snowy owl
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Ketupa]]'' – 12 species: fish owls and eagle-owls
                        |2=''[[Scotopelia]]'' – 3 species: fishing owls
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               |2={{clade
                  |1={{clade
                     |1={{clade
                        |1=''[[Megascops]]'' – 25 species: screech owls
                        |2={{clade
                           |1=''[[Gymnasio]]'' – Puerto Rican owl
                           |2=''[[Psiloscops]]'' – flammulated owl
                           }}
                        }}
                     |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Strix (bird)|Strix]]'' – 22 species: earless owls
                        |2={{clade
                           |1=''[[Lophostrix]]'' – crested owl
                           |2=''[[Pulsatrix]]'' – 3 species
                           }}
                        }}
                     }}
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}
}}

The 235 extant or recently extinct [[species]] are assigned to 23 [[genera]]:<ref name=ioc/>
[[File:Forest_Owlet_Athene_blewitti_by_Ashahar_alias_Krishna_Khan.jpeg|thumb|upright|The [[forest owlet]] (''Athene blewiti''), one of the [[critically endangered]] owls found in the Central Indian Forest]]

* Genus ''[[Uroglaux]]'' – Papuan hawk-owl
* Genus ''[[Ninox]]'' – Australasian hawk-owls, 37 species of which one is recently extinct
* Genus ''[[Margarobyas]]'' – bare-legged owl or Cuban screech-owl
* Genus ''[[Taenioptynx]]'' – two species previous placed in ''Glaucidium''
* Genus ''[[Micrathene]]'' – elf owl
* Genus ''[[Xenoglaux]]'' – long-whiskered owlet
* Genus ''[[Aegolius]]'' – saw-whet owls, five species of which one is recently extinct
* Genus ''[[Athene (bird)|Athene]]'' –  nine species
* Genus ''[[Surnia]]'' – northern hawk-owl
* Genus ''[[Glaucidium (bird)|Glaucidium]]'' – pygmy owls, 29 species
* Genus ''[[Otus (bird)|Otus]]'' – scops owls, 58 species including three extinct species formerly placed in ''Mascarenotus'' 
* Genus ''[[Ptilopsis]]'' – white-faced owls, two species
* Genus ''[[Asio]]'' – eared owls, nine species
* Genus ''[[Jubula (bird)|Jubula]]'' – maned owl
* Genus ''[[Bubo (bird)|Bubo]]'' – eagle-owls, horned-owls and snowy owl, 10 species
* Genus ''[[Scotopelia]]'' – fishing owls, three species
* Genus ''[[Ketupa]]'' – fish owls and eagle-owls, 12 species (including 9 species previously placed in ''Bubo'')
* Genus ''[[Psiloscops]]'' – flammulated owl
* Genus ''[[Gymnasio]]'' – Puerto Rican owl
* Genus ''[[Megascops]]'' – screech-owls, 25 species
* Genus ''[[Pulsatrix]]'' – spectacled owls, three species
* Genus ''[[Lophostrix]]'' – crested owl
* Genus ''[[Strix (bird)|Strix]]'' – earless owls, 22 species, including four previously placed in ''Ciccaba''
[[File:Coruja-de-crista (Lophostrix cristata).jpg|thumb|[[Crested owl]] (''Lophostrix cristata'')]]

===[[Late Quaternary prehistoric birds|Late Quaternary prehistoric extinctions]]===
* Genus ''[[Grallistrix]]'' – stilt-owls, four species
**[[Kaua‘i stilt-owl]], ''Grallistrix auceps''
**[[Maui stilt-owl]], ''Grallistrix erdmani''
**[[Moloka‘i stilt-owl]], ''Grallistrix geleches''
**[[O‘ahu stilt-owl]], ''Grallistrix orion''
* Genus ''[[Ornimegalonyx]]'' – Caribbean giant owls, one or two species
**[[Cuban giant owl]], ''Ornimegalonyx oteroi''
**''Ornimegalonyx'' sp. – probably subspecies of ''O. oteroi''
* Genus ''[[Asphaltoglaux]]''
** [[Asphalt miniature owl]], ''Asphaltoglaux cecileae''
*Genus ''[[Oraristrix]]''
**[[Oraristrix|La Brea owl]], ''Oraristrix brea''
[[File:Ornimegalonyx oteroi.jpg|thumb|The extinct [[Ornimegalonyx|Cuban giant owl]] (†''Ornimegalonyx oteroi'')]]

===[[Fossil]] record===
* ''[[Mioglaux]]'' (Late Oligocene? – Early Miocene of WC Europe) – includes ''"Bubo" poirreiri''<!-- RevPaleóbiol5:197 -->
* ''[[Intulula]]'' (Early/Middle Miocene of WC Europe) – includes ''"Strix/Ninox" brevis''<!-- PaleontogrItal89:3; Olson 1985:131 -->
* ''[[Yarquen]]'' (Middle Miocene of Argentina)<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tambussi |first1=Claudia P. |last2=Degrange |first2=Federico J. |last3=González Ruiz |first3=Laureano |date=2023-03-06 |title=An extinct owl (aves: strigidae) from the middle miocene of Patagonia |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2023.2180738 |journal=Historical Biology |volume=36 |issue=3 |pages=644–649 |doi=10.1080/08912963.2023.2180738 |s2cid=257392373 |issn=0891-2963}}</ref>
* ''[[Alasio]]'' (Middle Miocene of Vieux-Collonges, France) – includes ''"Strix" collongensis''<!-- Olson1985:131 -->

The fossil database for Strigiformes is highly diverse and shows an origin from ~60MYA into the Pleistocene. The maximum age range for the Strigiformes clade extends to 68.6MYA.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kurochkin |first1=E.N. |last2=Dyke |first2=G.J. |title=The first fossil owls (Aves: Strigiformes) from the Paleogene of Asia and a review of the fossil record of Strigiformes |journal=Paleontological Journal |date=2011 |volume=4 |issue=45 |pages=445–458 |doi=10.1134/s003103011104006x|bibcode=2011PalJ...45..445K |s2cid=84397725 }}</ref>

'''Placement unresolved:'''
*''"Otus/Strix" wintershofensis'' – [[fossil]] (Early/Middle Miocene of Wintershof West, Germany) – may be close to extant genus ''Ninox''<ref>Olson, p. 131</ref>
* ''"Strix" edwardsi'' – [[fossil]] (Middle Miocene of Grive-Saint-Alban, France)
* ''"Asio" pygmaeus'' – [[fossil]] (Early Pliocene of [[Odesa]], Ukraine)
* Strigidae gen. et sp. indet. UMMP V31030 (Rexroad Late Pliocene of Kansas, USA) – ''Strix''/''Bubo''?<ref name=Feduccia/>
*[[Ibiza owl]], Strigidae gen. et sp. indet. – [[Late Quaternary prehistoric birds|prehistoric]] (Late Pleistocene/Holocene of Es Pouàs, Ibiza)<ref name=Marco/>

The supposed fossil [[heron]] ''"Ardea" lignitum'' (Late Pliocene of Germany) was apparently a strigid owl, possibly close to ''Bubo''.<ref>Olson, p. 167</ref> The Early–Middle [[Eocene]] genus ''[[Palaeoglaux]]'' from west-central Europe is sometimes placed here, but given its age, it is probably better considered its own family for the time being.

==References==<!-- Emu102:223 -->
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Earhart>{{cite journal|author1=Earhart, Caroline M.  |author2=Johnson, Ned K.  |name-list-style=amp |year=1970|title=Size dimorphism and food habits of North American owls|journal=Condor|volume=72|issue=3|pages= 251–264|url=http://sora.unm.edu/node/101954|doi=10.2307/1366002|jstor=1366002 }}</ref>

<ref name = "Eyes">{{cite journal |last1=Eyes |first1=Stephanie |last2=Roberts |first2=Susan |last3=Johnson |first3=Mathew |name-list-style=amp |title=California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) habitat use patterns in a burned landscape |journal=The Condor: Ornithological Applications |date=May 2017 |volume=119 |issue=3 |pages=375–388 |doi=10.1650/CONDOR-16-184.1 |url=http://www2.humboldt.edu/wildlife/faculty/johnson/pdf/eyes_etal_2017.pdf|doi-access=free }}</ref>

<ref name=Feduccia>{{cite journal|author=Feduccia, J. Alan |year=1970|title= Some birds of prey from the Upper Pliocene of Kansas|journal=[[Auk (journal)|Auk]]|volume=87|issue=4|pages= 795–797|url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v087n04/p0795-p0797.pdf|doi=10.2307/4083714|last2=Ford|first2=Norman L.|jstor=4083714}}</ref>

<ref name=Kelso>{{cite journal|vauthors=Kelso L, Kelso E|year=1936|title=The relation of feathering of feet of American owls to humidity of environment and to life zones|journal=Auk|volume=53|issue=1|pages= 51–56|url=http://sora.unm.edu/node/16974|doi=10.2307/4077355|jstor=4077355 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

<ref name=Marco>{{cite journal|author=Sánchez Marco, Antonio |year=2004|title= Avian zoogeographical patterns during the Quaternary in the Mediterranean region and paleoclimatic interpretation|journal=Ardeola|volume=51|issue=1|pages= 91–132|url=http://www.ardeola.org/files/Ardeola_51(1)_91-132.pdf}}</ref>

<ref name="Wiens">{{cite journal |last1=Wiens |first1=David |last2=Anthony |first2=Robert |last3=Forsman |first3=Eric |title=Barred owl occupancy surveys within the range of the northern spotted owl |journal=The Journal of Wildlife Management |date=April 2011 |volume=75 |issue=3 |pages=531–538|doi=10.1002/jwmg.82 |bibcode=2011JWMan..75..531W |s2cid=54592663 }}</ref>

<ref name="Yackulic">{{cite journal |last1=Yackulic |first1=Charles |last2=Bailey |first2=Larissa |last3=Dugger |first3=Katie |last4=Davis |first4=Raymond |last5=Franklin |first5=Allan |last6=Forseman |first6=Eric |last7=Ackers |first7=Steven |last8=Andrews |first8=Lawrence |last9=Diller |first9=Lowell |last10=Gremel |first10=Scott |last11=Hamm |first11=Keith |last12=Herter |first12=Dale |last13=Higley |first13=J. Mark |last14=McCafferty |first14=Christopher |last15=Reid |first15=Janice |last16=Rockweit |first16=Jeremy |last17=Sovern |first17=Stan |name-list-style=amp |title=The past and future roles of competition and habitat in the range-wide occupancy dynamics of Northern spotted owls |journal= Ecological Applications|date=March 2019 |issue=3 |volume=29 |page=e01861 |doi=10.1002/eap.1861 |pmid=30835921 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331548333|doi-access=free |bibcode=2019EcoAp..29E1861Y }}</ref>
}}

==Bibliography==
*Olson, Storrs L. (1985). The fossil record of birds. ''In:'' Farner, D.S.; King, J.R. & Parkes, Kenneth C. (eds.): ''Avian Biology'' '''8''': 79–238. Academic Press, New York.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Strigidae}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040820172227/http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=177854 ITIS – Strigidae Taxonomy]
*[http://ibc.lynxeds.com/family/typical-owls-strigidae Typical owl videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
*[http://www.owlpages.com/ The Owl Pages] about owls – photos, calls, books, art, mythology and more.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q26012}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Owls]]
[[Category:Strigidae|*]]