Owls are among the most mysterious birds of Ukraine. Most people know them by their characteristic night hooting, but seeing an owl in the wild is not something everyone gets to experience. These birds primarily lead a crepuscular and nocturnal lifestyle, excellently camouflaging among trees and can fly silently thanks to the special structure of their feathers.

Owls are some of the most advanced hunters in the bird world. Their large eyes help them see in low light, and their extremely sensitive hearing allows them to locate prey even under layers of leaves or snow. In Ukraine, there are over a dozen species of owls, from the tiny pygmy owl to the majestic eagle owl.

The barn owl is easily recognized by its light plumage and characteristic heart-shaped facial disc. Its appearance is so unusual that this species is hard to confuse with any other owl.

The barn owl often nests near humans — in church attics, old buildings, bell towers, and farm structures. Its diet mainly consists of mouse-like rodents. In Ukraine, this species is rare and listed in the Red Book.

One of the most common owls in Ukraine. It gets its name from the long tufts of feathers on its head that resemble ears, although they have nothing to do with hearing.

The long-eared owl readily nests in parks, forest belts, coniferous and mixed forests. In winter, these birds often gather in large groups, sometimes with several dozen individuals on one tree.

Unlike most of its relatives, the short-eared owl often hunts during the day. It prefers open spaces — meadows, marshes, steppe areas, and agricultural lands.

It nests directly on the ground among the grass. Due to the reduction of natural meadows and marshes, the population of this species is declining.

The largest owl in Ukraine and one of the largest owls in the world. The wingspan of an adult bird can exceed one and a half meters.

The eagle owl is a powerful predator capable of hunting not only rodents but also hares, hedgehogs, ducks, and other birds. Its deep low hooting can be heard from a great distance. In Ukraine, this species is protected by law and listed in the Red Book.

The scops owl is one of the smallest owls in Ukraine. It has excellent camouflage coloring, allowing it to almost blend in with the bark of trees.

Unlike many other owls, the scops owl primarily feeds on large insects. This migratory species spends winter in Africa and returns to Ukraine in spring.

The smallest owl in Ukraine. Its length is only about 16–18 centimeters.

Despite its miniature size, the pygmy owl is a skilled hunter. It can catch not only insects and rodents but also small songbirds. It mainly inhabits coniferous forests of the Carpathians and Polissya.

One of the species that has best adapted to life near humans. It can often be seen near villages, farms, old buildings, and gardens.

The little owl is active not only at night but also at dusk and even during the day. It feeds on insects, rodents, small reptiles, and birds.

This species mainly inhabits coniferous forests of the Carpathians and Polissya. Despite its name, its plumage is not particularly shaggy — the name comes from the characteristic appearance of the feathers on its head.

The rusty owl readily occupies old woodpecker holes and leads a secretive lifestyle. Due to its elusive nature, it is encountered much less frequently than it actually is.

One of the most well-known owls in Europe and Ukraine. Its voice is most often associated with the night forest.

The tawny owl inhabits deciduous and mixed forests, as well as large parks. Its coloration can vary from light gray to reddish-brown.

A large forest owl with a light facial disc and a long tail. It is most commonly found in the Carpathians and Polissya.

This species prefers old forests and primarily hunts small mammals. Due to its large size, the Ural owl is one of the dominant nocturnal predators in its habitats.

One of the largest owls in Europe. It is easily recognized by its large round facial disc and dark spot under the beak that resembles a beard.

In Ukraine, the bearded owl is a very rare species and is mainly found in Polissya. Despite its significant size, it primarily feeds on small rodents.

Owls play an extremely important role in natural ecosystems. They control the population of rodents that can damage forests, fields, and gardens. In a year, one owl can hunt hundreds of mice and voles.

Unfortunately, many species suffer from the felling of old forests, the disappearance of hollow trees, and the reduction of natural meadows and marshes. That is why the protection of their habitats is an important component of preserving biodiversity in Ukraine.

Owls remain true masters of the night. We rarely see them, but every evening they set out to hunt, maintaining the natural balance and reminding us how amazing the world of wildlife can be.