Owls are nocturnal birds and formidable silent hunters. There are some 200 species around the world. They are carnivorous, eating small birds, rodents, insects and beetles. They have no teeth but tear the flesh of their prey with their hooked bills. They can swallow small prey whole.

The barn owl, Tyto alba, is a widely distributed species of owls and the most widespread of all, to be found all around the world.

The Cyprus Scops owl, Otus cyprius, is endemic bird of Cyprus. Is a tiny owl with small ear-tufts. It is unique to Cyprus and its song and plumage are sufficiently distinct.