The Most Beautiful Owl, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the owl you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:19

In the quiet dusk, as the myriad stars begin to twinkle in the sky, there’s a serene beauty in watching an owl glide silently over treetops. This fascination often leads to a curiosity about these enigmatic creatures and an appreciation for their aesthetic diversity. A list that ranks the most beautiful owls can help wildlife enthusiasts and casual observers alike focus their attention and admiration on various species, encouraging a deeper appreciation of their unique features. Such a ranking not only piques the interest of bird watchers but also raises awareness about owl species, some of which might be lesser-known or under threat. By casting a vote for the most beautiful owl, individuals contribute to a collective recognition of beauty and biodiversity. This activity fosters a community of like-minded enthusiasts who share a passion for nature and wildlife conservation.

What Is the Most Beautiful Owl?

1

72
votes
Snowy Owl

This owl is known for its pure white feathers that make it look like it's wearing a winter coat. Its piercing yellow eyes and black beak are a striking contrast against its white plumage.
The Snowy Owl is a magnificent bird of prey that is known for its striking appearance and exceptional hunting skills. It belongs to the family Strigidae and is scientifically known as Bubo scandiacus. This beautiful owl is found in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia, making it well-adapted to cold climates. The Snowy Owl is predominantly white, with black markings on its body and bright yellow eyes. It has a rounded head with no ear tufts and a wingspan of about 4.5 to 5 feet (137 to 152 cm). Here are some important specifications of the Snowy Owl:

Scientific Name: Bubo scandiacus

Family: Strigidae

Habitat: Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia

Plumage: Predominantly white with black markings

Eye Color: Bright yellow
Snowy Owl in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular bird featured on Christmas cards
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular bird in Canada
- Position 8 of 10 in Most beautiful bird of prey
2

66
votes
Alun · CC BY-SA 4.0

Barn Owl

With its heart-shaped face, the barn owl is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful owls. Its feathers are a mix of white and brown, and its large eyes are surrounded by a mask of black feathers.
The Barn Owl is a medium-sized bird of prey known for its elegant appearance and unique characteristics. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful birds of prey.

Scientific Name: Tyto alba

Appearance: Feathers are pale golden-brown above and white underneath with heart-shaped facial disks and dark eyes.

Wingspan: Approximately 85-110 cm (33-43 inches)

Weight: About 350-550 grams (0.8-1.2 pounds)

Habitat: Found in open countryside, woodlands, grasslands, marshes, and agricultural areas.
Barn Owl in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful bird of prey
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular bird featured on Christmas cards
3

30
votes
Pacific Southwest Region 5 · Public domain

Spotted Owl

The spotted owl's feathers are a blend of brown and white, making it a beautiful sight to behold. Its big, black eyes add to its overall majestic appearance.
The Spotted Owl is a medium-sized owl known for its captivating appearance. It has a round head with large, dark eyes and prominent facial disks. The overall plumage is mostly dark brown with distinct white spots on the head, back, wings, and tail, giving it its name.

Scientific Name: Strix occidentalis

Size: Length: 43-49 cm (17-19 in), Wingspan: 107-114 cm (42-45 in)

Weight: 550-850 grams (1.2-1.9 lbs)

Habitat: Old-growth forests of western North America

Conservation Status: Threatened
4

27
votes
brendan.lally · CC BY 2.0

Great Horned Owl

This owl has striking yellow eyes that give it an intense look. Its feathers are a mix of brown, black, and white, and it has large ear tufts that make it look even more regal.
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is a magnificent and powerful owl species. It possesses a notable and recognizable appearance with its distinct features. This owl is admired for its elegance and striking beauty.

Average Size: Length: 51-66 cm, Wingspan: 100-152 cm

Weight: 1.4-2.8 kg (3.1-6.2 lbs)

Feathers: Mottled brown, grey, and white with dark horizontal barring

Eyes: Large and yellow, surrounded by orange or reddish-brown facial disks

Horns: Prominent feather tufts resembling horns or ears on the head
5

23
votes
Adrian Pingstone · Public domain

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

This owl has a brown and black plumage that's highlighted by its piercing orange eyes. Its large size and majestic appearance make it a beautiful bird.
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is a magnificent bird of prey known for its impressive size and striking appearance. It is one of the largest owl species in the world, displaying exceptional physical features and hunting abilities.

Size: Height: 60-75 cm, Wingspan: 160-188 cm

Weight: 2-4.5 kg

Plumage: Distinctive tawny-brown coloration with dark brown stripes and speckles

Facial Features: Prominent facial disk, orange or yellow eyes, and distinctive ear tufts

Habitat: Varied habitats including forests, mountains, and open landscapes
Eurasian Eagle-Owl in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful bird of prey
6

18
votes
Tawny Owl

While its name might suggest otherwise, the tawny owl has a beautiful plumage of brown and white feathers. Its large eyes make it look wise and mysterious.
The Tawny Owl is a medium-sized owl that is widely considered one of the most beautiful owls. Its distinctive appearance and mesmerizing eyes make it a captivating species to observe.

Scientific Name: Strix aluco

Size: Approximately 37-39 cm (14-15 inches) in length

Wingspan: Approximately 94-104 cm (37-41 inches)

Feathers: Plumage varies from shades of brown, light gray, and cream, providing excellent camouflage

Face: Prominent facial disc with dark brown or black eyes
7

14
votes
Luis nunes alberto · CC BY-SA 3.0

Long-eared Owl

This owl has unique ear tufts that make it look like it's wearing headphones. Its feathers are a mix of brown and white, and it has big, yellow eyes that give it a beautiful look.
The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a species of owl known for its beautiful appearance and distinctive ear tufts. It is medium-sized, with a length ranging from 33 to 40 cm and a wingspan of approximately 86 cm. The plumage of the Long-eared Owl is often described as intricate and intricate, showcasing a combination of brown, buff, and gray tones with intricate patterns. Its eyes are large and bright orange, adding to its captivating and mesmerizing look.

Habitat: Woodlands and forests

Range: Eurasia, North America

Diet: Mainly small rodents and birds

Nocturnal or Diurnal: Nocturnal

Nesting Habits: Builds nest on trees
8

10
votes
Brendan Lally from Delta, Canada · CC BY 2.0

Northern Saw-whet Owl

This small owl has a beautiful mix of brown and white feathers. Its big, round eyes make it look cute and charming.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small-sized owl species known for its captivating beauty and unique features. It has a compact body structure and fluffy feathers, which come in various shades of brown, gray, and white. With its large round head and piercing yellow eyes, this owl has a distinct and adorable appearance.

Size: Approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length

Weight: Around 2.3-5.3 ounces (65-150 grams)

Wingspan: Approximately 16-18 inches (40-46 cm)

Habitat: Northern parts of North America, including boreal forests

Diet: Mainly small mammals (such as mice and voles), insects, and sometimes birds
9

10
votes
Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA 3.0

Spectacled Owl

The spectacled owl has a beautiful facial pattern that looks like it's wearing glasses. Its plumage is a mix of brown and white, and its eyes are a striking shade of yellow.
The Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) is a stunning owl species known for its unique appearance and striking markings. It is primarily found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. The creator or discoverer of the Spectacled Owl is not attributed to any particular person or organization.

Size: Approximately 43-48 cm (17-19 inches) in length

Weight: Around 500-650 grams (1.1-1.4 pounds)

Coloration: The upper parts vary from dark brown to gray, while the underparts are typically lighter with distinct off-white or cream-colored facial discs resembling spectacles.

Eyes: Large, circular, and yellowish in color

Head: Prominently round-shaped head with no ear tufts
10

13
votes
Rodolphe · CC BY-SA 3.0

Short-eared Owl

This owl has a beautiful mix of brown and white feathers that give it a soft and delicate appearance. Its big, golden eyes add to its overall beauty.
The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a medium-sized owl species known for its understated yet enchanting beauty. It has a prominent facial disk with piercing yellow or orange eyes, framed by dark concentric rings. Its plumage is predominantly mottled brown and tan, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its grassland and tundra habitats.

Size: Approximately 33-41 cm (13-16 inches) in length

Wingspan: Approximately 88-110 cm (35-43 inches)

Weight: 300-550 grams (0.7-1.2 pounds)

Habitat: Grasslands, marshes, prairies, and tundra regions

Range: Occurs across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa

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Ranking factors for beautiful owl

Coloration

The combination and arrangement of colors and patterns on the owl's feathers can significantly contribute to its beauty.
Plumage

The quality, texture, and appearance of the owl's feathers, including any unique or distinctive features, such as tufts or fluffiness.
Eyes

The size, shape, and color of the owl's eyes can create a striking or captivating effect.
Facial disc

The arrangement of feathers around the owl's face that helps in their hearing abilities can add both beauty and intrigue to the owl's appearance.
Size

The overall size of the owl, including its height, wingspan, and weight, can affect its beauty, with some people being drawn to larger or smaller species.
Shape

The shape of the owl's body, head, and other features can contribute to its overall appeal.
Posture and body language

The way the owl carries itself and positions its body, wings, and head can make it appear more or less beautiful.
Rarity

The rarity of a particular species of owl can add to its allure, as something that is more difficult to find or rarely seen can be considered more beautiful.
Behavior

The behaviors and personality traits exhibited by an owl can impact its overall attractiveness, including things like curiosity, playfulness, or gracefulness.
Habitat and environment

The natural environment in which the owl lives and how well it blends with or stands out from its surroundings can affect its beauty.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful owl. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or owl is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

5108 views
217 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each owl once every 24 hours. The rank of each owl is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful owl

Owls have long been admired for their beauty and grace. These majestic birds of prey are known for their striking appearance, with their large eyes, sharp talons, and distinctive feathers. Owls come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, with each species possessing its own unique beauty. When it comes to the question of which owl is the most beautiful, the answer is subjective and depends on personal preference. Some may find the Snowy Owl's pure white plumage and piercing yellow eyes to be the most captivating, while others may be drawn to the Barn Owl's heart-shaped face and delicate markings. With so many stunning owl species to choose from, the debate over which one reigns supreme as the most beautiful is sure to continue.