Only seven nocturnal birds of prey out of a possible 250 worldwide can be found in Portugal. Two of these are part-timers, only being here part of the year – The Short-eared Owl that winters here, and the Eurasian Scops Owl, that arrives in the spring to breed. Owls generally breed in the winter, with many beginning their courtship and mating activities in the late autumn, making the next several months a more vocal and active season for them.

Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) are tiny owls measuring only 19-21cm in length that feed mainly on insects, and you might see them around artificial lights feeding on the insects that are attracted to the lights. Occasionally they feed on larger prey, swooping down from perches and killing it with their talons

By contrast, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a top predator, with few natural enemies of its own, and are the biggest here, measuring 51cm in length, with a massive 2m wingspan. They primarily prey on small mammals and smaller birds, and are at their most vocal in the autumn and winter, with the male’s territorial call deep and resonant, and the female’s call slightly higher and more drawn out. This species also has calls to warn others of danger or if they’re disturbed. They often assume a defensive posture if threatened, puffing their feathers to appear larger and clicking their beaks loudly.

The Little Owl (Athene noctua) only measures around 22 cm in length, and will swoop down silently on their prey, However, they also hop around on the ground, pecking in search of insects, especially beetles and grasshoppers, plus small reptiles, frogs, mammals, and birds. They have the most extensive range and population of any owl in Portugal.

Barn Owls (Tyto alba) tend to inhabit abandoned barns (hence the name). Farmers love them because they keep surrounding property fairly rodent-free, protecting other animals from the diseases that mice and rats carry. Their unique screechy sound is more reminiscent of a hawk, and don’t hoot in the normal way of owls. When showing off for a female, males will sometimes clap their wings together a couple of times while flying.

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is between 34cm to 43cm in length, and are widely distributed across Portugal. These birds mostly hunt in the daytime when voles, their favorite meal, are active.

Long-eared Owls ( Asio otus) measure around 31cm to 40cm and are also known as the Cat Owl because of their cat-like facial features. Their feathers give them excellent camouflage when roosting in dense foliage, and are tough to spot.

You may find Tawny Owls (Strix aluco) in urban areas, particularly in areas with patches of natural forest and wooded habitats, plus they can be found in cemeteries, gardens, and parks. As nocturnal hunters, Tawny Owls remain silent on perches and glide down on unsuspecting prey.


All owls are predators, specially developed to capture and kill, and are superbly designed killing machines. Under the feathers, an owl has a sharp hooked beak and eight strongly arched talons – sharp, hooked claws - one per toe, four per leg, excellent ears and most can fly in almost total silence. Owls are best known for their hooting calls, but they also shriek, bark, hiss, whine, and whistle. Interestingly, all young owls (called owlets) leave their nests before they’re ready to fly and climb onto nearby branches using their beaks, claws, and wings. Then, about five weeks after they hatch, they start flying and hunt on their own.

One that you won’t find in Portugal but is worth a mention are the Great Horned Owls. With a length of 55cm and a wingspan of around 122 cm, these fierce predators can take both small and large prey, including rabbits, mice, and other birds, even other owls, cats or small dogs! They are reputed to have at least 300 psi (2,100 kPa) of crushing power in their talons, a pressure considerably greater than the human hand is capable of exerting. Females are somewhat larger than males, and some have the gripping power that equals that of the golden eagle.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan