Are Owls Protected Animals? Understanding Their Protection Status

Owls are the “nonconformists” among birds. They generally sleep during the day and come out at night to forage, feeding mainly on rodents, but they also eat insects and small birds. So are they protected animals? What species are there?

Are owls protected animals?

Owls are protected animals and may not be sold or purchased. They are found on every continent except Antarctica.

What species of owls are there?

1. Long-eared Owl

The Long-eared Owl, also known as the long-eared wood rabbit, eared wheat cat king, tiger owl, Biao wood rabbit and night cat, is a medium-sized bird. It likes to inhabit coniferous forests, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, broad-leaved forests and various other types of forest, and also appears in open woodland at forest edges, farmland shelterbelts and wooded areas of urban parks. It feeds on rodents and other small mammals, and also eats small birds, mammals and insects.

2. Brown Hawk-Owl

The Brown Hawk-Owl is a nocturnal bird of prey that inhabits mountain broad-leaved forests, preying on insects, small mice and small birds. Its breeding season is from May to July, and it raises 1 brood per year with 3 eggs per brood.

3. Short-eared Owl

The Short-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed owl species, ranging from around the Arctic to the north temperate zone, found in Hawaii and much of South America, and able to migrate further south. It feeds mainly on rodents, and also eats small birds, lizards and insects, and occasionally plant fruits and seeds.

4. Laughing Owl

The laughing owl generally refers to the Laughing Owl, an already extinct species of owl. Its call closely resembles the snickering of a psychiatric patient, and it was distributed in Australia and New Zealand.

Although there are still many surviving species of owls, if they are not properly protected and are hunted indiscriminately, there may well be more and more extinct species. So everyone must cherish wild animals, and report cases of poaching to the relevant authorities promptly.