摘要Background: Many species of owls (Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in lfux. In recent years, two new species of owls of the genusStrix have been described from the Middle East by different research teams. It has been suggested that one of these species,S. omanensis, is not a valid species but taxonomic compari?sons have been hampered by the lack of voucher specimens ofS. omanensis, and the poor state of the holotype ofS. butleri. <br> Methods: Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of theS. butleri complex. We also report the capture of a singleS. butleri sensu stricto in Mashhad, Iran. <br> Results: A cytochromeb sequence ofS. omanensis was found to be identical to that of the holotype ofS. butleri, indicating that the nameS. omanensis is best regarded as a junior synonym ofS. butleri. The identity of theS. butleri captured in Mashhad, Iran, was conifrmed using DNA sequence data. This represents a major (1300 km) range exten?sion of this species. <br> Conclusions: The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S. omanensis’ actually represents the rediscovery ofS. butleri, which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878. The range ofS. butleri extends into northeast Iran. Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition ofS. butleri andS. hadorami as separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.