Owls are known for their large, forward-facing eyes and rounded heads that give them an appearance of wisdom. With over 250 species of owls in the world, there are many cute and unique looking owls to choose from when deciding which is the cutest. In this article, we will explore some of the most adorable owl species and look at what makes them so cute.
Physical Features that Make Owls Cute
There are a few physical features shared by many owls that contribute to their cute appearance:
- Large, round eyes – Owls have some of the largest eyes relative to their head size of any animal. The large, forward-facing eyes with round pupils give owls a very cute, inquisitive look.
- Fluffy body – Many owls have soft, fluffy feathering that makes them appear round and cuddly.
- Small beaks – Unlike other birds of prey, owls have relatively small, hooked beaks that don’t detract from their cute faces.
- Round heads – The circular or heart-shaped facial discs of owls add to their appeal.
- Short tail feathers – Owls have very short tail feathers which emphasizes their fluffy body.
- Non-threatening appearance – Owls don’t have sharp talons and beaks like hawks, which makes them seem more cute and approachable.
Beyond physical features, owls also display behaviors and mannerisms that humans find cute such as turning their heads all the way around or slowly blinking their large eyes.
The Top 10 Cutest Owl Species
Now that we know generally what makes owls so cute, let’s look at 10 of the absolute cutest owl species in more detail:
1. Northern Saw-whet Owl
The tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl grows to only about 7-8 inches in length and weighs a mere 2-3 ounces. Its enormous yellow eyes take up a good portion of its miniature heart-shaped face giving it an absolutely darling look. The Northern Saw-whet Owl ranges across North America and is one of the most common owl species seen at bird feeders attracted to the other songbirds.
2. Elf Owl
As the world’s lightest owl, the aptly named Elf Owl averages only 1.5-2 ounces as an adult and is small enough to fit in your hand. They have oversized heads and bright yellow eyes that make them look like a cute plush toy. Elf Owls are found in the hot, dry regions of the Southwest United States and Mexico.
3. Burrowing Owl
Standing an average of only 9 inches tall, Burrowing Owls are pint-sized compared to other owl species. Like their name suggests, they nest underground in abandoned burrows and will even make cute poses like standing on one leg at the entrance to their burrow. They have bright yellow eyes and often a facial expression that makes them look inquisitive and happy.
4. Stygian Owl
This medium-sized owl has gorgeous big orange eyes and delicate black markings underneath their eyes that resembles an Egyptian eye-liner style. The feather “horns” they sport on the top of their head add to their unique look. Stygian Owls are found scattered across Central and South America.
5. Snowy Owl
The fluffy Snowy Owl of the Arctic sports a cute round head and a soft white body that makes them resemble a stuffed animal. Their bright yellow eyes peek out from a face of dense white plumage. Snowy Owls also have an endearing way of bobbing their heads up and down. They are one of the larger owl species with a wingspan over 4 feet.
6. Little Owl
These tiny owls are native to Europe and parts of Asia and get their name from their small size of 7-9 inches tall. They have a rounded body shape with fluffy feathers and large yellow eyes that give them a very sweet facial expression. Little Owls tend to be active during the day, unlike most owls, and can often be spotted perched up in trees.
7. Eastern Screech Owl
These pint-sized raptors measure only 6-10 inches tall and have perhaps the biggest eyes relative to their small skulls of any owl. Their enormous eyes can be yellow, red, or brown and are surrounded by elegant black feathering on their heart-shaped faces. They flush easily, causing them to stand upright and reveal their cute, full shape.
8. Northern Hawk Owl
Northern Hawk Owls are diurnal like the Little Owl and are commonly seen surveying their territory while perched in a tree during daylight hours. They have a rounded, puffy appearance with a streaked brown chest and cute facial markings. The yellow rings around their eyes give them a sweet, smiling expression.
9. Eurasian Pygmy Owl
Aptly named again, the Eurasian Pygmy Owl grows to only 4-6 inches long. They appear round, compact, and almost neckless with their large head sitting right on the body. The brown stripes on their belly and big yellow eyes make them simply adorable. They range across Europe, Asia, and parts of northern Africa.
10. Great Gray Owl
One of the world’s largest owls with a wingspan over 5 feet, the Great Gray Owl has incredibly cute fluffy plumage and a huge facial disc that gives them an endearing puppy dog look. The concentric circles around their piercing yellow eyes add to their appeal. Great Gray Owls make quiet, drawn-out hoots that matched with their cute faces have been described as sounding like sweet puppy howls by avid birders.
Some Cute and Interesting Owl Behaviors
In additional to physical features, owls display a variety of charming behaviors and mannerisms that add to their appeal:
- Head bobbing – Many owls bob their heads up and down or sway side to side in an endearing way as they survey their surroundings.
- Rotating heads – Owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees to scan for threats or prey without moving their bodies, which looks amusing.
- Fluffing feathers – When cold or feeling threatened, owls will fluff out their feathers to appear bigger, which adds to their cute round shape.
- Blinking – Owls slowly blink their large eyes, which is believed to help communicate friendliness and calmness to humans.
- Peeking out – The cautious nature of small owls often leads them to peek out adorably from tree cavities or nest boxes.
- Chirping – Some owls issue high-pitched chirps or whistles that pair nicely with their cute appearance.
Watching videos of owls displaying these types of mannerisms shows how they have evolved these movements to enhance their cuteness and appeal to humans. The owl’s sounds and behaviors likely tap into our innate fondness for anything resembling a human baby.
Conclusion
Many different owl species display an endearing combination of oversized fluffy heads, giant bright eyes, small beaks, and feathers that make them magnets for human affection. Owls like the Northern Saw-whet Owl, Elf Owl, and Eastern Screech Owl shrink down cute owl features into ultra-adorable miniature packages. Larger owls like the Great Gray Owl and Snowy Owl retain their cute charm with their fluffy plumage and expressive faces. No matter what their size, owls win over humans with their appearance, sounds, and behaviors that we find so cute and captivating.
