Owl
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225893055
2008-07-15T22:04:17Z
72.81.231.62
/* Description */
{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Owls
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|58}}Late [[Paleocene]] – Recent
| image = Northern_Spotted_Owl.USFWS-thumb.jpg
| image_caption = The rare [[Northern Spotted Owl]]<br/>''Strix occidentalis caurina''
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Aves]]
| subclassis = [[Neornithes]]
| infraclassis = [[Neognathae]]
| superordo = [[Neoaves]]
| ordo = '''Strigiformes'''
| ordo_authority = [[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830
| subdivision_ranks = Families
| subdivision =
[[Strigidae]]<br />
[[Tytonidae]]<br />
[[Ogygoptyngidae]] ([[fossil]])<br />
[[Palaeoglaucidae]] ([[fossil]])<br />
[[Protostrigidae]] ([[fossil]])<br />
[[Sophiornithidae]] ([[fossil]])
| synonyms =
Strigidae <small>sensu Sibley & Ahlquist</small>
}}
'''Owls''' are an [[order (biology)|order]] of [[bird of prey|birds of prey]]. Most are [[solitary]], and [[Nocturnal animal|nocturnal]], with some exceptions (e.g. the [[Burrowing Owl]]). They are classified in the order '''Strigiformes''', in which there are over 200 extant [[species]]. Owls mostly hunt small [[mammal]]s, [[insect]]s, and other [[bird]]s, though a few species specialize in hunting [[fish]]. They are found in all regions of the Earth except [[Antarctica]], most of [[Greenland]], and some remote islands. Though owls are typically solitary, the literary [[collective noun]] for a group of owls is a ''parliament''.
The living owls are divided into two [[Family (biology)|families]], the [[typical owl]]s, Strigidae, and the [[barn-owls]], Tytonidae.
==Description==
[[Image:Eagle Owl IMG 9203.JPG|thumb|left|Eagle Owl]]
Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ear-holes, a [[hawk]]-like [[beak]], a flat face, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a ''facial disc''. Although owls have [[binocular vision]], their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as with other birds, and they must turn their entire head to change views.
The smallest owl is the [[Elf Owl]] (''Micrathene whitneyi''), at as little as 31 g (1.1 oz) and 13.5 cm (5.3 inches). Some of the [[pygmy owl]]s are scarcely larger. The largest owls are two of the [[horned owl|eagle owls]], the [[Eurasian Eagle Owl]] (''Bubo bubo'') and [[Blakiston's Fish Owl]] (''Bubo blakistoni''), which may reach a size of 60-71 cm (28.4 in) long, have a wingspan of almost 2 m (6.6 ft), and weight of nearly 4.5 kg (10 lb).
Owls are far-sighted, and are unable to see anything clearly within a few inches of their eyes. Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good. They can turn their head 135 degrees in either direction; they can thus look behind their own shoulders.
Different species of owls make different sounds; the wide range of calls aids owls in finding mates or announcing their presence to potential competitors, and also aids [[ornithologist]]s and [[birder]]s in locating these birds and recognizing species. The facial disc helps to funnel the sound of prey to their ears. In many species, these are placed asymmetrically, for better directional location (Cotty, 2008).
Owl eggs are usually white and almost spherical, and range in number from a few to a dozen, depending on species. The eggs are laid in intervals of 1–3 days and do not hatch at the same time. This accounts for the wide variation in the size of sibling nestlings. Owls do not construct nests but rather look for a sheltered nesting site or an abandoned nest, in trees, underground burrows, or in buildings, barns and caves.
==Behaviour==
[[Image:Owl sleeping in tree.jpg|thumb|An owl sleeping at daytime in a hollow tree.]]
Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting for prey only under the cover of darkness. Several types of owl, however, are crepuscular, or active during the twilight hours of [[dawn]] and [[dusk]]; one example is the [[pygmy owl]] (''Glaucidium''). A few owls are also active during the day; examples are the [[Burrowing Owl]] (''Speotyto cunicularia)'' and the [[Short-eared Owl]] (''Asio flammeus'').
[[Image:EulenfederTeil3.jpg|right|thumb|The serrations on the leading edge of an owl's flight feathers reduce noise.]]
<!-- [[Image:Feathers owl vs hawk.png|right|thumb|192px|Comparison of an owl (left) and hawk (right) [[remex]].]] -->
Much of the owl's hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise. Owls have at least two adaptations that aid them in achieving stealth. First, the dull coloration of an owl's feathers can render them almost invisible under certain conditions. Secondly, serrated edges on the leading edge of the owl's [[remiges]] muffle the owl's wingbeats, allowing its flight to be practically silent. Some fish-eating owls, where this silence is of no evolutionary advantage, lack this adaptation. Elf owls and Burrowing owls also lack the feathers for silent flying.
Once prey has been captured, the owl's sharp beak and powerful [[Claw#Birds|talons]], or clawed feet allow it kill its prey before swallowing it whole (unless its too big). Scientists studying the diets of owls are helped by their habit of [[regurgitation (digestion)|regurgitating]] the indigestible parts of their prey (such as bones, scales and fur) in the form of [[Pellet (ornithology)|pellets]]. These "owl pellets" are often sold by companies to schools to be dissected by students as a lesson in biology and ecology, because they are plentiful and easy to interpret. <ref>[http://www.carolina.com/category/teacher+resources/lab+safety/owl+pellets+in+the+classroom+-+safety+guidelines.do "Owl Pellets in the Classroom: Safety Guidelines"].<!--a ref. was requested--></ref>
==Evolution and systematics==
The [[Systematics|systematic placement]] of owls is disputed. For example, the [[Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy]] finds that, based on [[DNA-DNA hybridization]], owls are more closely related to the [[nightjar]]s and their allies ([[Caprimulgiformes]]) than to the diurnal predators in the order [[Falconiformes]]; consequently, the Caprimulgiformes are placed in the Strigiformes, and the owls in general become a [[family (biology)|family]] '''Strigidae'''. This is not supported by more recent research.<ref>See Haaramo (2006). In reality, the presumed distant relationship of the accipitrids - namely, the "Accipitriformes" according to Sibley and Ahlquist (1990) - with owls (and most other bird lineages) is most likely due to [[systematic error]]. Accipitrids have undergone drastic [[chromosome rearrangement]] and thus appear in DNA-DNA hybridization generally unlike other living birds.</ref>
In any case, the relationships of the Caprimulgiformes, the owls, the [[falcon]]s and the [[Accipitridae|accipitrid raptors]] are not resolved to satisfaction; currently there is an increasing trend to consider each group (with the possible exception of the accipitrids) a distinct order.
There are some 220–225 extant species of owls, which are subdivided into two families; [[typical owls]] (Strigidae) and [[barn-owls]] (Tytonidae). Some entirely extinct families have also been erected based on [[fossil]] remains; these differ much from modern owls in being less specialized or specialized in a very different way (such as the terrestrial [[Sophiornithidae]]). The [[Paleocene]] genera ''[[Berruornis]]'' and ''[[Ogygoptynx]]'' show that owls were already present as a distinct lineage some 60-58 mya ([[million years ago]]), and presumably also some 5 million years earlier, at the extinction of the non-avian [[dinosaur]]s. This makes them one of the oldest known groups of non-[[Galloanserae]] landbirds. The supposed "[[Cretaceous]] owls" ''[[Bradycneme]]'' and ''[[Heptasteornis]]'' are apparently non-[[Avialae|avialan]] [[Maniraptora|maniraptors]].<ref>Mortimer (2004)</ref>
During the [[Paleogene]], the Strigiformes [[adaptive radiation|radiated]] into [[ecological niche]]s now mostly filled by other groups of birds. The owls as we know them today, on the other hand, evolved their characteristic [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]] and [[adaptation]]s during that time too. By the early [[Neogene]], the other lineages had been displaced by other bird orders, leaving only barn-owls and typical owls. The latter at that time were usually a fairly generic type of (probably earless) owl similar to today's North American [[Spotted Owl]] or the European [[Tawny Owl]]; the diversity in size and [[ecology]] found in typical owls today developed only subsequently.
Around the Paleogene-Neogene boundary (some 25 mya), barn-owls were the dominant group of owls in southern Europe and adjacent Asia at least; the distribution of fossil and present-day owl lineages indicates that their decline is contemporary with the evolution of the different major lineages of typical owls, which for the most part seems to have taken place in Eurasia. In the Americas, there was rather an expansion of immigrant lineages of ancestral typical owls.
The supposed fossil [[heron]]s ''"Ardea" perplexa'' (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) and ''"Ardea" lignitum'' (Late Pliocene of Germany) were more probably owls; the latter was apparently close to the modern genus ''[[Bubo (genus)|Bubo]]''. Judging from this, the Late Miocene remains from France described as ''"Ardea" aureliensis'' should also be restudied.<ref>Olson (1985): pp.131, 267</ref> The [[Messelasturidae]], some of which were initially believed to be [[Basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] Strigiformes, are now generally accepted to be diurnal [[birds of prey]] showing some [[convergent evolution]] towards owls. The taxa often united under ''[[Strigogyps]]''<ref>Mayr (2005)</ref> were formerly placed in part with the owls, specifically the Sophiornithidae; they appear to be [[Ameghinornithidae]] instead.<ref>Alvarenga & Höfling (2003), Peters (2007)</ref>
For fossil species and [[paleosubspecies]] of extant [[taxa]], see the genus and species articles.
'''Unresolved and basal forms''' (all fossil)
* ''[[Berruornis]]'' (Late Paleocene of France) - basal? Sophornithidae?<!-- *Palaeontology37:339 -->
* Strigiformes gen. et ap. indet. (Late Paleocene of Zhylga, Kazakhstan)<!-- Palaeontology37:339 -->
* ''[[Palaeoglaux]]'' (Middle – Late Eocene of WC Europe) - own family Palaeoglaucidae or Strigidae?<!-- Palaeontology37:339; ZoolJLinnSoc128:149 -->
* ''[[Palaeobyas]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy, France) - Tytonidae? Sophiornithidae?
* ''[[Palaeotyto]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy, France) - Tytonidae? Sophiornithidae?
* Strigiformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Oligocene of Wyoming, USA)<ref name = olson1985p131>Olson 1985: p.131</ref>
===[[Ogygoptyngidae]]===
* ''[[Ogygoptynx]]'' (''Middle/Late Paleocene of Colorado, USA)<!-- AmMusNovit2773:1; Auk99:576; Palaeontology37:339 -->
===[[Protostrigidae]]===
* ''[[Eostrix]]'' (Early Eocene of WC USA and England - Middle Eocene of WC USA)<!-- AmMusNovit2773:1. Auk89:887,99:576. Palaeontology37:339. -->
* ''[[Minerva (genus)|Minerva]]'' (Middle – Late Eocene of W USA) - formerly ''Protostrix'', includes ''"Aquila" ferox'', ''"Aquila" lydekkeri'', and ''"Bubo" leptosteus''<!-- AmMusNovit680:1,2773:1. Auk99:576. Palaeontology37:339. -->
* ''[[Oligostrix]]'' (mid-Oligocene of Saxony, Germany)<!-- Palaeontology37:339 -->
===[[Sophiornithidae]]===
* ''[[Sophiornis]]''<!-- Palaeontology37:339 -->
===[[Strigidae]]: Typical owls===
[[Image:Asio otu 2.jpg|right|thumb|right|A [[Long-eared Owl]], ''Asio otus'', in erect pose.]]
* ''[[Megascops]]'': screech-owls, some 20 species
* ''[[scops owl|Otus]]'': scops-owls; probably [[paraphyletic]], about 45 species
* ''[[Pyrroglaux]]'': Palau Owl
* ''[[Gymnoglaux]]'': Bare-legged Owl or Cuban Screech-owl
* ''[[Ptilopsis]]'': white-faced owls, two species
* ''[[Mimizuku]]'': Giant Scops-owl or Mindanao Eagle-owl
* ''[[horned owl|Bubo]]'': horned owls, eagle-owls and fish-owls; paraphyletic with ''Nyctea'', ''Ketupa'' and ''Scotopelia'', some 25 species
* ''[[Strix (genus)|Strix]]'': earless owls, some 15 species
* ''[[Ciccaba]]'': four species
* ''[[Lophostrix]]'': Crested Owl
* ''[[Jubula]]'': Maned Owl
* ''[[Pulsatrix]]'': spectacled owls, three species
* ''[[Surnia]]'': Northern Hawk-owl
* ''[[Glaucidium (owl)|Glaucidium]]'': pygmy-owls, about 30–35 species
* ''[[Xenoglaux]]'': Long-whiskered Owlet
* ''[[Micrathene]]'': Elf Owl
* ''[[Athene (owl)|Athene]]'': 2–4 species (depending on whether ''Speotyto'' and ''Heteroglaux'' are included or not)
* ''[[Aegolius]]'': saw-whet owls, four species
* ''[[Ninox]]'': Australasian hawk-owls, some 20 species
* ''[[Uroglaux]]'': Papuan Hawk-owl
* ''[[Pseudoscops]]'': Jamaican Owl and possibly [[Striped Owl]]
* ''[[Asio]]'': eared owls, 6–7 species
* ''[[Nesasio]]'' - Fearful Owl
* ''[[Mascarenotus]]'': Mascarene owls, three species; [[extinct]] (c.1850)
* ''[[Sceloglaux]]'': Laughing Owl; [[extinct]] (1914?)
* ''[[Grallistrix]]'': stilt-owls, four species; [[Late Quaternary prehistoric birds|prehistoric]]
* ''[[Ornimegalonyx]]'': Caribbean giant owls, 1–2 species; [[Late Quaternary prehistoric birds|prehistoric]]
Fossil genera
* ''[[Mioglaux]]'' (Late Oligocene? - Early Miocene of WC Europe) - includes ''"Bubo" poirreiri''
*''"Otus/Strix" wintershofensis'': [[fossil]] (Early/Middle Miocene of Wintershof West, Germany) - may be close to extant genus ''Ninox''<ref name = olson1985p131 />
* ''[[Intutula]]'' (Early/Middle –? Late Miocene of C Europe) - includes ''"Strix/Ninox" brevis''
* ''[[Alasio]]'' (Middle Miocene of Vieux-Collonges, France) - includes ''"Strix" collongensis''
Placement unresolved[[Image:Masked owl mask4441.jpg|thumb|right|[[Masked Owl]], ''Tyto novaehollandiae''.]]
* ''"Strix" edwardsi'': [[fossil]] (Middle Miocene)
* ''"Asio" pygmaeus'': [[fossil]] (Early Pliocene of Odessa, Ukraine)
*Ibiza Owl, Strigidae gen. et sp. indet.: [[Late Quaternary prehistoric birds|prehistoric]]<ref>Sánchez Marco (2004)</ref>
===[[Tytonidae]]: Barn-owls===
* Genus ''[[Tyto]]'': typical barn-owls, stand up to {{convert|3|ft|m}} tall some 15 species and possibly one recently extinct
* Genus ''[[bay owl|Phodilus]]'': bay-owls, 1–2 extant species and possibly one recently extinct
Fossil genera
* ''[[Nocturnavis]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) - includes ''"Bubo" incertus''
* ''[[Necrobyas]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene - Late Miocene) - includes ''"Bubo" arvernensis'' and ''Paratyto''<!-- Auk99:576; Palaeontology37:339 -->
* ''[[Selenornis]]'' (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) - includes ''"Asio" henrici''<!-- Auk99:576 -->
* ''[[Prosybris]]'' (Early Oligocene? - Early Miocene)
Placement unresolved
* Tytonidae gen. et sp. indet. "TMT 164" (Middle Miocene) - ''Prosybris''?<!-- Geobios2:157 -->
yes
==Relationship with humans==
[[Image:Athene cunicularia konijnuil.jpg|thumb|192px|A [[Burrowing Owl]], ''Athene cunicularia''.]]
Owls have been a feature of [[falconry]] for years. In recent years, many owls have moved from their previous rural habitats to start to inhabit urban areas. The [[Tawny Owl]] has been a common visitor to cities across the UK for about forty years, where it survives on a diet of pigeons and small birds. Owls in urban areas are also known to prey on new-born kittens.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/26/loc_loc2catowl.html | accessdate=2008-02-14 | title=Owls culprits in cat deaths}}</ref>
In many parts of the world, owls have been [[stereotypes of animals|associated]] with [[death]] and misfortune, likely due to their nocturnal activity and common screeching call. However, owls have also been associated with [[wisdom]] and prosperity, frequently being companion animals for goddesses. In [[Hindu Mythology]], the barn owl is considered to be vehicle of [[Goddess Lakshmi]] (Goddess of Wealth) and thus it is considered lucky if an owl resides near your house.
[[Henry David Thoreau]] summarized one perception of owls, when he wrote in 1854's ''[[Walden]]'', "I rejoice that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature which men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all [men] have."
===Africa===
<hiero>m</hiero> [[Ancient Egypt]]ians used a representation of an owl for their [[Egyptian hieroglyph|hieroglyph]] for the sound ''m''. They would often draw this hieroglyph with its legs broken to keep this bird of prey from coming to life.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.
Among the [[Kikuyu]] of [[Kenya]] it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. If one saw an owl or heard its hoot, someone was going to die. In general, owls are viewed as harbingers of bad luck, ill health, or death. The belief is widespread even today.<ref>[http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=Owl+Mythology&title=Owls+Lore+Culture&page=8 Owls in Lore and Culture - The Owl Pages<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===The Americas===
[[Image:Owl2larcomuseum.jpg|thumb|right|Moche Owl. 200 A.D. [[Larco Museum|Larco Museum Collection]] Lima, Peru.]]
In the culture of the [[Hopi]] nation, taboos surround owls and they are associated with evil or sorcery. In the United States, as with [[eagle]] feathers, the possession of owl feathers as [[religious]] objects is regulated by federal law (e.g. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and Title 50 Part 22 Code of Federal Regulations).
The [[Aztec]]s and [[Maya civilization|Mayans]], along with other natives of [[Mesoamerica]], considered the owl a symbol of death and destruction. In fact, the Aztec god of death, [[Mictlantecuhtli]], was often depicted with owls. There is an old saying in [[Mexico]] that is still in use (considered [[politically incorrect]]): ''Cuando el tecolote canta, el indio muere'' ("When the owl cries/sings, the Indian dies").{{Fact|date=March 2008}}
Other Native American tribes saw the owl as the carrier of the elders' spirits.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
The [[Moche]] people of ancient [[Peru]] worshipped the animal and often depicted owls in their art.<ref>Berrin & Larco Museum (1997)</ref>
===Asia===
In [[culture of Japan|Japanese culture]], owls are seen as either negative or positive symbols depending on species. Sometimes owls are seen as divine messengers of the gods, while Barn or Horned owls are perceived as demonic figures.
In [[culture of India|Indian culture]], a white owl is considered a companion and [[vahana]] (Vehicle of god/goddess) of [[Lakshmi]], the goddess of wealth, and therefore a harbinger of prosperity. The owl has been adapted as an emblem to reflect its implications of wisdom (''Wise old owl'') by a revered military institution in India known as the [[The Defense Services Staff College|Defense Services Staff College]]. In colloquial use, however, it is commonly used to refer to stupidity. The Hindi word for owl, ''ulloo'' is used to refer to a foolish person.
The [[Mesopotamian mythology|demoness]] [[Lilith]] is thought to have been associated with (screech) owls as well, by way of the [[KJV]] translation of the passage in {{bibleverse||Isaiah|34:14|9}}. Prior to the rise of [[Islam]], owls were considered bad [[omen]]s and associated with evil spirits in most [[Middle East]]ern [[paganism|pagan]] traditions. In modern times, although such superstitions are less prevalent, owls are still popularly considered "evil" because of their fierce, horrific appearance.
In the Malay language, owls are called "''burung hantu''", literally 'ghost bird'.
===Europe===
In [[Greek mythology]], the owl, and specifically the [[Little Owl]], was often associated with the goddess [[Athena]], a [[bird goddess]] who became associated with [[wisdom]], [[the arts]], and skills, and as a result, owls also became associated with wisdom. They are the unofficial mascot of the high-IQ society [[Mensa International|Mensa]].
The [[ancient Rome|Romans]], in addition to having borrowed the Greek associations of the owl (see [[Owl of Minerva]]), also considered owls to be funerary birds, due to their nocturnal activity and often having their nests in inaccessible places. As a result, seeing an owl in the daytime was considered a bad omen. The vampiric ''[[Strix (mythology)|strix]]'' of [[Roman mythology]] was in part based on the owl.
Likewise, in [[culture of Romania|Romanian culture]], the mournful call of an owl is thought to predict the death of somebody living in the neighbourhood. Such superstitions caused a minor disturbance when an owl showed up at Romanian President's residence, [[Cotroceni Palace]].
In [[French culture|France]], a difference is made between ''hiboux'', eared owls, which are considered symbols of wisdom, and ''chouettes'', earless owls, which are considered birds of ill omen.
In the Welsh Cycles of the [[Mabinogion]], the Owl is considered cursed - the first owl was [[Blodeuwedd|Blodeuedd]], a woman born of flowers to be the wife of [[Lleu Llaw Gyffes]]. Because she fell in love with another man and plotted to kill Lleu, Lleu's guardian [[Gwydion]] turned her into the first owl, saying ''"You are never to show your face to the light of day, rather you shall fear other birds; they will be hostile to you, and it will be their nature to maul and molest you wherever they find you. You will not lose your name but always be called Blodeuwedd."'' The addition of the w in her name changed her from a woman of flowers to an owl.
In [[Finland]] the owl is paradoxically viewed as both a symbol of wisdom, and as a symbol of imbecility, presumably because of its "dumb stare".
Owl is the name of Pooh Bear's wise friend in the famous childhood stories by A.A. Milne.
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
== References ==<!-- Emu102:223 http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=Studies+and+Papers&title=Fossils -->
* {{aut|Alvarenga, Herculano M. F. & Höfling, Elizabeth}} (2003): ''Systematic revision of the Phorusrhacidae (Aves: Ralliformes)''. ''[[Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia]]'' '''43'''(4): 55-91 [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?): ''The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the [[Larco Museum|Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera]].'' [[Thames and Hudson]], New York.
* {{aut|Calaprice, Alice & [[Bernd Heinrich|Heinrich, Bernd]]}} (1990): ''Owl in the House: A Naturalist's Diary''. Joy Street Books, Boston. <small>ISBN 0316354562</small>
* {{aut|Haaramo, Mikko}} (2006): [[Mikko's Phylogeny Archive]]: [http://www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/users/haaramo/Metazoa/Deuterostoma/Chordata/Archosauria/Aves/Strigimorphae/Caprimulgiformes.htm "Caprimulgiformes" - Nightjars]. Version of 2006-MAY-11. Retrieved 2007-NOV-08.
* {{aut|[[Bernd Heinrich|Heinrich, Bernd]]}} (1987): ''One Man's Owl''
* {{aut|Johnsgard, Paul A.}} (2002): ''North American Owls: Biology and Natural History'', 2nd ed.. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC. <small>ISBN 1-56098-939-4</small>
* {{aut|Mayr, Gerald}} (2005): "Old World phorusrhacids" (Aves, Phorusrhacidae): a new look at ''Strigogyps'' ("''Aenigmavis''") ''sapea'' (Peters 1987). ''PaleoBios (Berkeley)'' '''25'''(1): 11-16 [http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/science/paleobios/abstracts_21to25.php HTML abstract]
* {{aut|Mortimer, Michael}} (2004): The Theropod Database: [http://web.archive.org/web/20070327081725/staff.washington.edu/eoraptor/Phylogeny%20of%20Taxa.html Phylogeny of taxa]. Retrieved 2007-NOV-04.
* {{aut|Norberg, R.A.}} (1977): Occurrence and independent evolution of bilateral ear asymmetry in owls and implications on owl taxonomy. ''Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B, Biological Sciences'' '''280''': 375-408.
* {{aut|[[Storrs Olson|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.
* {{aut|Peters, Dieter Stefan}} (2007): The fossil family Ameghinornithidae (Mourer-Chauviré 1981): a short synopsis. ''Journal of Ornithology'' '''148'''(1): 25-28. <small>{{doi|10.1007/s10336-006-0095-z}}</small> [http://www.springerlink.com/content/g02p27126403245r/fulltext.pdf PDF fulltext]
* {{aut|Sánchez Marco, Antonio}} (2004): Avian zoogeographical patterns during the Quaternary in the Mediterranean region and paleoclimatic interpretation. ''Ardeola'' '''51'''(1): 91-132. [http://www.ardeola.org/files/Ardeola_51(1)_91-132.pdf PDF fulltext]
* {{aut|[[Charles Sibley|Sibley, Charles Gald]] & Monroe, Burt L. Jr.}} (1990): ''Distribution and taxonomy of the birds of the world: A Study in Molecular Evolution''. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. <small>ISBN 0-300-04969-2</small>
== External links ==
{{commons|Strigiformes}}
General
*[http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=all Owl species of the World]
*[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/chordata/aves/strigiformes.html Animal Diversity Web Page: Owls]
*[http://brainmaps.org/index.php?p=speciesdata&species=tyto-alba Owl Brain Atlas]
*[http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/owl.html Smithsonian Snowy Owl Info]
*[http://nature.org/initiatives/programs/birds/features/ Owls of the Harry Potter movies] - learn about the owls featured in the films, threats to the species, and conservation activities
*[http://www.owls.org World Owl Trust]
*[http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=Owl+Physiology Owl Physiology], 'The Owl Pages' website.
*[http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/migtrea.html Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918]
*[http://rg.ancients.info/owls Athenian Owl coins]
Eurasia
*[http://www.worldofowls.com World of Owls] - Northern Irelands only Owl, Bird of Prey and Exotic Animal Centre.
*[http://www.fishowls.com/ Current Blakiston's Fish Owl Research in Russia]
North America
*[http://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/owl-pictures.html List of Owl Species Breeding In North American and Owl Photos]
*[http://www.sorco.org South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre For Owls] ([[British Columbia]])
Australia
*[http://home.iprimus.com.au/readman/owls.htm Australian Owls and Frogmouths]
{{Footer Birds}}
[[Category:Owls|*]]
[[Category:Strigiformes|*]]
[[Category:Birds of prey]]
[[Category:Heraldic birds]]
[[ang:Ūle]]
[[ar:بومة]]
[[gn:Urukure'a]]
[[ay:Juku]]
[[bar:Aina]]
[[bg:Совоподобни]]
[[ca:Estrigiforme]]
[[cs:Sovy]]
[[cy:Tylluan]]
[[da:Ugle-ordenen]]
[[de:Eulen]]
[[el:Κουκουβάγια]]
[[es:Strigiformes]]
[[eo:Strigoformaj birdoj]]
[[eu:Hontz]]
[[fa:جغد]]
[[fr:Strigiformes]]
[[fy:Uleëftigen]]
[[hak:Meu-thèu-tiâu]]
[[ko:올빼미목]]
[[hr:Sovovke]]
[[io:Strigo]]
[[id:Burung Hantu]]
[[is:Uglur]]
[[it:Strigiformes]]
[[he:דורסי לילה]]
[[jv:Darès]]
[[la:Asio]]
[[lt:Pelėdiniai paukščiai]]
[[hu:Bagolyalakúak]]
[[ms:Burung Hantu]]
[[nl:Uilen]]
[[ja:フクロウ目]]
[[no:Ugler]]
[[nn:Ugle]]
[[pl:Sowy]]
[[pt:Strigiformes]]
[[ro:Bufniţă]]
[[qu:Ch'usiqa]]
[[ru:Совообразные]]
[[simple:Owl]]
[[sk:Sovotvaré]]
[[sl:Sove]]
[[sr:Сова]]
[[su:Bueuk]]
[[fi:Pöllölinnut]]
[[sv:Ugglor]]
[[ta:ஆந்தை]]
[[te:గుడ్లగూబ]]
[[th:นกเค้าแมว]]
[[tr:Baykuş]]
[[uk:Совоподібні]]
[[zh-yue:貓頭鷹]]
[[zea:Ulen]]
[[zh:貓頭鷹]]