Difference between Owls and Lechuzas

lechuza (barn owl)

Owl

Owls are divided into two families; the true (typical) owl and the barn-owls, also known as lechuzas.  These two kinds of owls are both nocturnal birds of prey. Although both of them share the same order (Strigiformes), there are some differences in their behavior, looks and habits.

	Owl	Lechuza
Taxonomy	Strigiformes order, strigidae family.	Strigiformes order, tytonidae family.
Appearance	Owls have ear-simulating feathers. Their big eyes are yellow most of the times. Since they can’t really move them, they have between 12 and 14 neck vertebrae, which allow them to rotate their heads up to 270°. Their heads are big and round shaped. Owls can be found in a variety of colors.	Unlike regular owls, lechuzas don’t have ear-simulating feathers. Their flat faces are their main characteristic along with their wide foreheads and pointy chins. Lechuzas tend to be smaller in size than regulars owls.
Habitat	Owls can be found in every continent except for the Antarctica. Their physical appearance variates along with the climatic and geographical conditions they live in. Owls physically adapt to their surroundings.	Lechuzas can also be found everywhere around the globe. However it is more common to find this kind of birds in high mountain areas. Lechuzas can also adapt to their surroundings by changing their feathers.
Behavior	Owls are nocturnal birds. They have the capacity of hunting in complete darkness due to their magnificent hearing and sight. Owls are lonely birds, although some species do prefer to live in small groups. Also, some species migrate, but not all of them do.	As for lechuzas, they are nocturnal habits birds as well. When young, lechuzas are lonely, highly territorial birds. Later on, they form pairs. Most lechuzas species are monogamous and mate for life. They will keep on defending their nesting area, but not their hunting territories for life.
Feeding habits	Owls can eat everything from invertebrates such as cockroaches, spiders and snails, to fish, small reptiles, amphibians, small mammals (such as rabbits, rats and mice) and even other birds.	Mice and rats are their favorite prey, although they can eat a lot of other small animals. Basically the same as regular owls.
Reproduction	Some owls are monogamous and mate for life. Either if they are monogamous or not, male and female only encounter each other on mating season. The female can lay anything from 2 to 12 eggs. Incubation lasts up to 30 days. Male and female take turns to hunt or to take care of their nest.	Lechuzas females lay between 5 and 7 eggs. Usually, males hunt while females take care of the incubation and caring of the nest.