Strix is a genus of owls. They belong to the typical owl family Strigidae, one of the two generally accepted living families of owls, with the other being the barn-owls (Tytonidae). Common names are earless owls or wood owls though they are not the only owls without ear tufts, and "wood owl" is also used as a more generic name for forest-living owls. Neotropical birds in the genus Ciccaba are sometimes included in Strix.
These are medium-sized to largish, robustly-built and powerful owls. They do not have ear tufts and most are highly nocturnal woodland birds. Most live on small mammals, birds and reptiles.
Note that although the genus Strix was established for the earless owls by Linnaeus in 1758, until the late 19th century many authors applied it to other owls – namely the Tyto barn-owls – in error.
Strix is a genus of owls. They belong to the typical owl family Strigidae, one of the two generally accepted living families of owls, with the other being the barn-owls (Tytonidae). Common names are earless owls or wood owls though they are not the only owls without ear tufts, and "wood owl" is also used as a more generic name for forest-living owls. Neotropical birds in the genus Ciccaba are sometimes included in Strix.
These are medium-sized to largish, robustly-built and powerful owls. They do not have ear tufts and most are highly nocturnal woodland birds. Most live on small mammals, birds and reptiles.
Note that although the genus Strix was established for the earless owls by Linnaeus in 1758, until the late 19th century many authors applied it to other owls – namely the Tyto barn-owls – in error.