Owls are fascinating nocturnal birds known for their large eyes, round faces, and ability to rotate their heads almost 180 degrees. While most owls have mottled brown, black, white, and grey plumage to help them blend into their environments, some species exhibit remarkably colorful feathers. Vibrant orange, yellow, pink, blue, green, and reddish owls exist across different parts of the world. Their bright hues likely play a role in camouflage, communication, and mate attraction. This article explores some of the most vibrantly colored owl species and investigates why certain owls evolved such flashy plumage.
Spectacled Owl
The spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) is a neotropical species found in tropical and subtropical forests from Mexico to Argentina. It gets its name from the bold yellow-orange rings around its eyes that resemble spectacles. The spectacled owl has grey and brown barred upperparts with a white facial disk and underparts. The yellow eye rings stand out dramatically against the owl’s subdued plumage. The rings may help the nocturnal hunter disguise its eyes within the blotchy patterns of tree bark where it roosts during the day. The eye rings also likely play a role in visual communication, serving as conspicuous signals to other spectacled owls in dense vegetation.
Vermiculated Screech Owl
The vermiculated screech owl (Megascops vermiculatus) of Central and South America earns its name from its intricately patterned plumage marked with fine wavy lines. Its upperparts consist of mottled black, brown, rufous, white, and orange barring. Smaller rufous and black bars cover its white underparts. Distinctive black lines also radiate from its eyes and bill. The screech owl’s complex vermiculated pattern provides exceptional camouflage in the mottled light and shadow of the rainforest canopy. Its reddish-orange bars may also help the nocturnal predator hide among reddish-orange leaves at dawn and dusk when other diurnal birds become active.
Cinnamon Screech Owl
As its name suggests, the cinnamon screech owl (Megascops petersoni) of the Amazon Basin is beautifully cinnamon-colored. Its upperparts and wings are various shades of cinnamon-rufous marked with fine black barring. Its underparts are a warmer cinnamon color with thick black streaks down its breast. The owl’s facial disk is also boldly outlined in black and topped with two prominent cinnamon-colored ear tufts. The cinnamon screech owl’s bright reddish-brown plumage provides camouflage against the colors of wet decaying leaves and bark. Its plumage may also help it blend in among reddish tree canopies at sunrise and sunset when the owl is most active.
Tawny Owl
The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is a woodland owl found across much of Europe and parts of western Asia. As its name suggests, it has remarkably warm brown plumage. Its upperparts are a tawny rufous-brown streaked with black and beige. Its underparts are a lighter pale buff peppered with dense black streaks. The tawny facial disk is boldly outlined in black and topped with small tufts. The owl’s rich tawny-brown coloration provides excellent camouflage against tree trunks. Its streaked pattern blends with rough bark while its warm rufous tones match lichen and fungi growing on trees. The tawny owl’s muted colors conceal it within the forest during the day when it roosts in trees.
Rufous Owl
True to its name, the rufous owl (Ninox rufa) of Australia and New Guinea is a rich rufous-brown color. Its upperparts, wings, and tail are streaked and barred with black and rufous-brown. The underparts of the stout owl are a warmer orange-rufous with fine black barring. The rufous owl has a rounded head with no ear tufts and piercing yellow eyes. Its heavily streaked rufous plumage allows it to disappear against the bark and trunks of eucalyptus trees where it lives. The barring may also mimic patches of light and shadow. The rufous owl’s bright eyes likely help it communicate and signal within dense foliage at night.
Barred Owl
The barred owl (Strix varia) of North America is aptly named for its brown and white barred plumage. Its upperparts are brown streaked and barred with off-white. The underparts are off-white marked with prominent brown vertical streaks. The barred owl has a grey-brown face outlined in lighter grey-brown. Prominent dark brown eyes stand out against its pale facial disk. The barred owl’s streaky brown and white patterns mimic tree bark and create camouflage within the dappled light of forests. Its stripes may help conceal subtle movements from potential prey on the ground below. The bold stripes likely also serve as visual signals at night to other barred owls navigating the same territory.
Pearl-Spotted Owlet
The pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) of South and Southeast Asia has white plumage covered in distinctive round black spots. The upperparts and wings are marked with large black spots. The underparts are white with smaller black spots. The owlet has a whitish facial disk outlined in black and topped with petite ear tufts. The black bill is also encircled with an odd white ring. The pearl-spotted owlet’s spotted pattern resembles cracked and peeling bark where it roosts. The white base color also matches lichen growing on trees. When the owlet draws its feathers close against its body, its plumage helps camouflage it against the dappled light and dark patches of tree bark.
Spotted Wood Owl
Closely related to the pearl-spotted owlet, the spotted wood owl (Strix seloputo) of Southeast Asia has white underparts covered in fine black spots. Its upperparts are chocolate brown marked with bright white spots and streaks. Like other owls, the wood owl’s bold spotted and striped plumage helps break up its outline among the play of light and shadow within forests. Its spotted pattern may specifically mimic fungal spots and patches of lichen growing on trees. When roosting against tree trunks, the spotted wood owl can effectively disappear by closing its plumage.
Eurasian Pygmy Owl
The Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) is the smallest owl in Europe and northern Asia. Despite its tiny size, it sports remarkably vibrant plumage. Its upperparts are greyish-brown patterned with white spots and bars. The underparts are a reddish buff color with delicate streaks. The pygmy owl has yellow eyes and a grey-brown facial disk bordered in creamy white. Two long black and white crown stripes give it a distinctive appearance. The tiny owl’s stripes and spots blend with patches of light and dark bark. Its reddish buff underparts likely match lichen-covered branches where it perches when hunting. The visible markings help the diurnal owl communicate with others within busy forest environments.
Little Owl
The little owl (Athene noctua) is a Eurasian species introduced widely elsewhere. It has grey and brown upperparts with off-white underparts covered in variable dark streaks and bars. But the standout feature is the little owl’s vivid yellow eyes, unlike most owls which have dark brown or black eyes. Its bright lemon-yellow irises contrast strongly with its dull plumage. While their function is not fully understood, the striking yellow eyes likely play an important role in visual communication and signaling to other little owls, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active.
Snowy Owl
Arguably the most famous brightly colored owl, the snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large white Arctic species. Both sexes have snow-white plumage but females usually have more dark brown barring. Snowy owls have piercing bright yellow eyes. Their immaculate white plumage provides ideal camouflage within snowy Arctic tundra environments year-round. The yellow eyes are critical for communication between widespread individuals in the treeless open landscape. During winter migrations south in search of food, snowy owls still conspicuously stand out from their new surroundings. Their white plumage likely retains visual signaling benefits in darker winter habitats.
Striped Owl
The striped owl (Asio clamator) of Sub-Saharan Africa has highly distinctive plumage. It has pearl grey upperparts boldly patterned with black, white, and rufous stripes. The underparts are white with delicate black streaks. Facial feathers around its small black eyes and bill are also intricately patterned with white and black. The striped owl usually inhabits dry open woodlands and savannas. Its strikingly bold patterns mimic flickering grasses and tree branches where it roosts and hunts. The beautiful patterning helps disguise the owl within the dynamic patterns of swaying vegetation stirred by wind.
Stygian Owl
The Stygian owl (Asio stygius) is a tropical and subtropical species found from Mexico to Argentina. It has dark brown plumage marked with intricate bright white spotting. The upperparts are boldly patterned with large white spots on the wings and back. Underparts are covered in finer white dots. The stygian owl has a facial disk crisply outlined in black and topped with small ear tufts. When perched upright, its heavily spotted plumage blends into dappled sunlight and vegetation. By sleeking its feathers and closing its plumage, the owl can disappear against tree bark and heavy foliage within its forest habitat.
Forest Owlet
The forest owlet (Heteroglaux blewitti) of India was thought extinct but rediscovered in 1997. As the name suggests, this tiny owl inhabit forests. It has dark brown upperparts heavily patterned with white spots and streaks. The underparts are lighter brown and buff marked with thick white bars. The forest owlet has a dark facial disk outlined in white. Long white supercilium stripes border its eyes. By closing its plumage against bark and foliage, the intricately patterned forest owlet can flawlessly camouflage itself within the forest environment. Its bright white markings likely help with signaling and communicating in dense vegetation.
Northern Hawk Owl
The northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula) inhabits boreal forests across North America and Eurasia. It has brown upperparts marked with white spotting and barring. The underparts are white to brownish with heavy brown vertical barring. The northern hawk owl has a boldly defined facial disk with concentric brown and white rings bordering yellow eyes. The brown and white stripes on its relatively long tail resemble the barred pattern of some hawks, likely an evolutionary adaptation. Overall, the northern hawk owl’s disruptive patterns conceal it against lichen, cracked bark, flickering leaves, and dappled light within coniferous forests.
Mottled Owl
The mottled owl (Strix virgata) of Central and South America has intricately patterned brown, black and white mottling. Its upperparts are covered in complex black, rufous and white blotching and streaking. The underparts are buff colored with heavy black streaking. The mottled owl has a bold rufous facial disk outlined in black and white. When viewed among lichen, scattered bark flakes, and dappled sunlight within forests, the mottled owl is exceptionally well camouflaged. By sleeking its intricate plumage, it can disappear against the dense patterns of the forest.
African Wood Owl
The African wood owl (Strix woodfordii) is appropriately named for its remarkable rufous wood-colored plumage. It has rich rufous-brown upperparts marked with black and white streaks, bars, and spotting. Its lighter underparts are boldly covered in thick black streaks. The African wood owl has striking pink eyelids and black bill. The wood-colored plumage provides ideal camouflage against the rufous trunks of trees and decaying wood in its forest habitat. When roosting upright against substrates, it can disappear completely thanks to its elaborate patterns and coloring.
Conclusion
While most owls rely on cryptic coloration for camouflage, some species have evolved remarkably colorful plumage in hues of red, orange, yellow, pink, blue-green, and white. Brightly colored owls like the spectacled owl, cinnamon screech owl, snowy owl, and Eurasian pygmy owl use their unique markings to help blend in with their environments. Disruptive patterns with high contrast help the birds disappear against dappled forest settings and tree bark. Vibrant pinks, oranges, and yellows also specifically mimic leaves, lichen, and fungi the owls roost near. In addition, conspicuous colors aid visual communication and signaling between owls navigating the same habitat, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Overall, the exceptional colors and patterns of these owls play important roles in camouflage and communication strategies vital for their survival. Their dazzling plumage reveals the striking adaptations owls have evolved to thrive within their environments around the world.
