Asioidea

Asioidea is a taxonomic group that has been used to classify owls within the order Strigiformes. The term is derived from the genus Asio, which includes several owls such as the long-eared owl. In many historical and some modern classifications, Asioidea is treated as a superfamily containing two families of owls: Tytonidae (barn owls) and Strigidae (true owls). However, the rank and composition of Asioidea have varied among authorities, and many contemporary classifications treat Tytonidae and Strigidae as the two families of Strigiformes without recognizing a distinct superfamily.

The two families in this context are the barn owls (Tytonidae) and the true owls (Strigidae). The members of Asioidea are found on most continents except Antarctica, occupying habitats such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and human-altered landscapes. They are generally nocturnal, with adaptations including large forward-facing eyes, facial discs, and asymmetrical ears that aid in locating prey. Diet is mainly small vertebrates and insects, depending on species and availability.

Phylogeny: Molecular studies support that Tytonidae and Strigidae form a clade within Strigiformes, but the status of Asioidea as a standalone clade is less consistently recovered, leading to variable usage in taxonomic references.

Conservation and status: Owls in this group face threats from habitat loss, persecution, and collisions; conservation priorities vary by species.