Ask a child to draw an owl and you will usually get two huge eyes and a heart-shaped face. But the UK is actually home to six species of owl, each with its own look, call and habits. Here is a friendly guide — perfect for a topic display, a fact-finding lesson, or simply for the curious.
1. Barn Owl
The classic ghostly white owl with a heart-shaped face, often seen hunting at dusk over fields and rough grassland. Barn Owls fly low and silently, listening for small mammals in the grass below. Their eerie shriek is nothing like the "twit-twoo" people expect.
2. Tawny Owl
Britain’s most common owl and the source of that famous "twit-twoo" — which is actually two birds calling to each other. Tawny Owls live in woodland, parks and large gardens, and are superbly camouflaged against tree bark.
3. Little Owl
Pocket-sized, long-legged and full of character, the Little Owl is often active in the daytime and likes to perch in the open on posts and branches. It was introduced to the UK in the 19th century and is now a familiar sight on farmland.
4. Short-eared Owl
A daytime hunter of open country, with piercing yellow eyes and long wings. The "ears" are just tufts of feathers, not real ears. Short-eared Owls are often seen quartering low over marshes and moorland in winter.
5. Long-eared Owl
Secretive and strictly nocturnal, the Long-eared Owl has tall ear tufts that it raises when alarmed, and bright orange eyes. It roosts in dense cover by day, which makes it one of the trickiest owls to spot.
6. Snowy Owl
A rare and spectacular visitor to the UK, the Snowy Owl is a large white owl of the far north — pale as fresh snow and unmistakable. Most children know it from books and films, which makes meeting a real one all the more thrilling.
How to tell owls apart
With children, focus on simple clues: the face (heart-shaped for a Barn Owl, round for a Tawny), the size (the Little Owl really is little), the eyes (yellow and orange in some species, dark in others) and when they are active (day or night).
Bring the facts to life
Reading about owls is wonderful; meeting them is unforgettable. On a free Nite Owls visit, children meet our owls up close, learn each species and discover what makes it special. Explore our owls, grab a few free printables, or book a free visit for your school.