Where are owls found around the world?

Owls are found on every continent except Antarctica and inhabit most oceanic islands. They are highly adaptable birds that occupy a vast array of environments, ranging from tundra and grasslands to dense forests and rainforests.12

While some species, such as the barn owl and the short-eared owl, are among the most widely distributed birds in the world, others are endemic to specific islands with limited populations. Certain groups, like the wood owl, have a broad presence across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Their ability to thrive in diverse regions is often linked to the availability of suitable nesting sites rather than just the abundance of prey.132