There are around 250 species of owls in the world, and they can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. As predators at the top of the food chain, owls help control the populations of the hares, weasels, and mice that they feed on to keep their ecosystems balanced. They also excel at concealing themselves in tree trunks and leafy branches.
In honor of International Owl Awareness Day on August 4, see if you can spot the camouflaged owls in these 10 pH๏τos.
Can you spot the great horned owl in this pH๏τo?
Where’s the owl? Sparty1711/Getty Images
The owl was pH๏τographed in Denver, Colorado.
It’s peeking out of the trunk.
It’s there. Sparty1711/Getty Images
You may be able to make out the owl’s pointy ears.
There’s a snowy owl along this frozen landscape. Can you see it?
Can you see the owl? Panadian/Getty Images
Only male snowy owls are white. Females have more brown coloring.
The owl can be seen flying along the frozen prairie.
There’s the owl. Panadian/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
This owl was pH๏τographed in Alberta, Canada.
Can you see the Eurasian scops owl against the tree?
Where’s the owl? zahoor salmi/Getty Images
Look for the yellow eyes.
Its plumage blends in with the bark.
There’s the owl. zahoor salmi/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
The owls can usually be found in open areas like woodlands, orchards, and parks.
There’s an owl concealed in the tree branches. Do you see it?
It’s there somewhere. Sourabh Bharti/Getty Images
It’s camouflaged well.
The owl is perched in the trees.
There it is. Sourabh Bharti/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
The owl was pH๏τographed in Jaipur, India.
Can you spot the sleepy western screech owl?
Do you see the owl? Scott McCusker /500px/Getty Images
These small, stocky owls usually measure around 7.5 to 9.8 inches long.
The owl is nestled into a hole in a tree.
The owl, revealed. Scott McCusker /500px/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
Western screech owls are fairly comfortable around humans and can often found in backyards and suburbs.
Where’s the screech owl in this pH๏τo?
The owl is half-hidden. mlorenzpH๏τography/Getty Images
It blends into the tree trunk perfectly.
It’s there on the tree, looking like part of the bark.
There’s the owl. mlorenzpH๏τography/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
The owls are usually colored with gray, brown, red, or white feathers.
Do you see the great gray owl?
Where’s the owl? Jérémie LeBlond-Fontaine/Getty Images
They often live in dense forests.
The owl’s feathers perfectly match the tree behind it.
There it is. Jérémie LeBlond-Fontaine/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
Great gray owls are the largest owls in North America.
How many great horned owls do you see in this pH๏τo?
Where are the owls? Jeff R Clow/Getty Images
They’re hiding inside the trunk of a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ tree.
There are two of them.
There they are. Jeff R Clow/Getty Images, Talia Lakritz/Insider
Great horned owls can be found across North America.
And now, for the final challenge — can you tell where this last owl is hiding?
Where’s the owl? Sujal Manandhar/Getty Images
It’s a tough one.
At this distance, it’s a tiny dot on the tree.
It’s barely visible. Sujal Manandhar/Getty Images
