Family Strigidae

Typical Owls

10 species from the family Strigidae.

Typical settings for this family#

Shutter (still)1/250–1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/4–f/5.6
Size17–70 cm

10 species#

Great Horned Owl Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus Barred Owl Barred OwlStrix varia Burrowing Owl Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio Snowy Owl Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Ferruginous Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium brasilianum Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus Western Screech-Owl Western Screech-OwlMegascops kennicottii Northern Saw-whet Owl Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus Northern Pygmy-Owl Northern Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium gnoma

Field-craft#

  • Never bait or call owls excessively; stay on trails.
  • A long lens (500 mm+) keeps a respectful distance.
  • Mostly crepuscular: lean on a fast lens, high ISO and stabilisation; keep distance and avoid flash at nests.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources