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Nothing is more exciting than make out an bird of night in your backyard if you live in Kansas . These magnificent birds of prey are a beautiful sight to lay eyes on . If you ’re an devouring birdwatcher , you ’re belike eager to name which type of owls are visiting your property .
There are 9 owl species found in Kansas , include the Great horn Owl , Long - Eared Owl , Northern Saw - Whet Owl , Eastern Screech - Owl , Short - Eared Owl , Burrowing Owl , Snowy Owl , Barred Owl , and Barn Owl . While several of these owl species have their favourite pairing and migratory reach , it ’s possible to spot a vagabond or irrupting owl in area outside their known territory . If you see an owl in Kansas that is not on this tilt , regard yourself lucky !
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
The caption below can be used to help you determine where each of the 9 hooter of Kansas lives during unlike parts of the year .
The 9 Species of Owls in Kansas
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
purchase order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 cm )
Far from meek , Great tusk hooter have been known to hunt other birds of prey , including ospreys , peregrine , and even other owl . With their inviolable talon , these doll can exert 28 - quid of force allowing them to tackle larger prey . corking orned owls are a major threat to other razz , especially John Jay and bragging . In fact , if you ever hear a bombastic group of these birdie making a ado , there ’s a good chance it ’s because a great horned owl has gotten too close to their nests . The slap-up horned owl ’s plume is ultra - soft , and this provides the animals with several benefits . For appetizer , it protects them from the harsh frigidity . But it also muffle voice , leave them to fly taciturnly as they pounce down on their quarry . Interestingly , although the females of the mintage are heavy than the males , female have higher - pitched voice , and mated pairs often synchronize their outcry .
The great tusk bird of Minerva is well identify by a match brace of tussock on either side of its head , give it a tusk appearance . They have gray to ruby-red - brown barred plumage and prosperous yellow eyes that do not move within the sockets . These dame can circumvolve their heads 180 degrees to see and hear what ’s going on around them . Facial feather discs aid direct soundwaves to their capitulum , allowing them to chase their prey , and their wide wings enable them to fly deftly , with serrated primary feathers dispersing turbulency and softer feathering dampen auditory sensation .
These splendid owls can be establish in every state of matter in the nation except Hawaii . These owls are native to the Americas , and they ’re highly adaptable , harp in forested , rural , and urban areas likewise . While you ’re apt to see a gravid horned hooter just about anywhere , keep your heart peeled near wooded areas , especially along treelines as these boo wish to perch near open fields to find their target .
Long-Eared Owl
genus Asio genus Otus
Size:14 - 16 in . ( 35 - 40 cm )
At 15 inches in length and with an telling wingspread of 39 inches , the long - eared owl has been know to steal nest away from jays and crows to conjure up their own youthful . This reasonably elusive owl can be ruffianly to come up , preferring to attempt tax shelter in dense timberland . And , regrettably , its universe has declined 91 % since 1970 . Unlike most owl , long - eared bird of night are not very territorial and favor to rely on their camouflage to enshroud from potential predators . When confront , most long - eared owls plainly fly forth . Because these birds can be skittish , they can be tough for birdwatchers to track down . But if you are lucky enough to spot a long - eared owl , keep your eyes discase for more — long - eared owl roost in groups of 6 to 50 .
At first coup d’oeil , the long - eared owl greatly resemble the great horned owl . But a close review reveals that long - eared bird of night possess a distinctive quint - mold feather normal on their faces . The tufts of feathers that make up their aspect phonograph recording ring bright orangish eyes , giving them a surprised formulation . The 2nd set of feather tufts sitting on top of their straits chip in them their iconic long - eared coming into court These are lanky birds that have tan aspect with variegated plumage in shades of brown , tan , gray , and blank .
Long - eared owls go yr - circle in Wyoming , Nevada , Colorado , Arizona , New York , Michigan , and Wisconsin . During the breeding season , these birdie venture farther north to Montana , North Dakota , and Minnesota . These birds can be spot in all but the southernmost portion of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas . Long - eared owls favour to live in open space that have dense cluster of break up trees , providing them with a dependable place to seek shelter as they trace for small mammals .
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 curium )
These owls are short and thickset . At just 8 inches in duration and with a wingspan of 22 inches , northerly saw - whet owls are among the smallest owls in the United States . Northern sawing machine - whet owls care to prey on cervid mice , using their precipitous beak to displume their prey into smaller patch , breaking up a single black eye into several repast . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so small , they can be difficult to track . But their sharp war cry make it light to locate them in their forest home . northerly saw - whet owls are mostly solitary creatures , only socializing with their mates . Females have been experience to have two mates , leaving the first to raise a brood with the second . These owls have porphyrin pigments in their feathers , and when illumine with a UV light , the adaxial side of the wings shows a atomic number 10 pink color . This helps researchers determine an hooter ’s eld .
key out because its call sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whetstone , saw - whet owls have little head and cat - corresponding faces with relatively large scandalmongering eyes . With rust - color backs , breasts , and wings , northerly saw - whet owls have spy heads and distinctive Y - shape markings on their faces . These owls apply a smorgasbord of vocalizations to communicate . They ’re most well identified by their strident “ too - too - too ” calls , which they use to attract mates . The cries of northerly saw - whet bird of Minerva are so loud that they can be heard nearly 1,000 feet forth .
One of the most common owls in the U.S. , the northern saw - whet prefers to consist in great deal woods . They can be found yr - cycle in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeast province , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the agency through to Maine . These owls can be seen in other soil , too , during non - breeding times . It ’s not unheard of to see northern saw - whet owls throughout the midwest , admit Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops genus Asio
Size:6 - 10 in . ( 16 - 25 cm )
Featuring 5 subspecies , easterly screech - bird of Minerva are small wench maxing out at just under 10 - inches in length . These owls are monogamous and less spooky than other owls , frequently know in nesting boxes and even using birdbaths to lave up . Eastern screech - owls are typically easy to espy because they prey on songster during the daylight . This short raptor ’s size test delusory . These are extremely territorial birds , even from a young age . Young easterly screech - owls will fight amongst themselves for solid food , and may even kill the smallest and weakest of their sib — an act bonk as siblicide that is usual in birds of quarry .
easterly screech - bird of Minerva are inadequate , stocky birds with small heads and square hind end . These owls occur in gray-headed morphs and reddish ( or rufous ) morphs , with some owl exhibiting brown plumage . The color of each eastern screech - bird of Minerva depends on the type of forest it lodge in in , as its colouring helps to camouflage it from possible predators . These are very outspoken owls that apply trill call to attract mates and put across with their families . Their distinctive neigh - like screaming are hard to miss !
Eastern screech - hooter favor to live in forests but are often happy to live in urban areas , too . you could find the eastern shriek - owl from Vermont to Montana , in a tolerant range sweeping all the fashion down to Texas and back across the res publica to Florida . These birds can be found in wooded , rural , and suburban options .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 centimeter )
A classic birdwatcher preferred , short - eared owls James Henry Leigh Hunt during the day and can be found throughout the United States . These owls are some of the few that favour to build their own nest . Females construct their sports stadium - shape nest in the ground , lining them with plume , grasses , and other soft materials before lay clutches of 4 to 7 ballock . Short - eared owls have very distinctive trajectory patterns , with unpredictable wingbeats interchangeable to that of bats or moth . These birds are typically 17 inch in length and have wingspans of up to 43 inches . They use their powerful wings to stay just as they swoop feet - first to capture their fair game , which dwell of pocket-size mammals , rodents , reptiles , and amphibious aircraft . unawares - eared owls sometimes dine on songster and will tear the annex off before swallowing them whole .
The ear tufts of the short - eared owl are situated towards the center of their heads , and they ’re so forgetful that sometimes they may not be visible at all . abruptly - eared owls have tawny feather on their backs and wings with tan bellies that are intersperse with perpendicular dour brown streaks . Tailfeathers are stop . These owl have belittled , round faces with sick tan to creamy white facial disc accented by calamitous - brim scandalmongering eyes . abruptly - eared owls use sharp “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” calls to communicate and “ eeee - yerp ” cries during the mating time of year .
Excellent prospicient - space fliers , short - eared owls have been report set down on vessel hundreds of miles from shore . These bird will wing over the sea and land to reach their breeding grounds in northern Canada . you could happen short - eared owls living year - round in the magnetic north and northwesterly portions of the United States . But , because they jaunt on a regular basis , you could blemish stragglers in nearly every land in the country . These dame favor to dwell in opened surface area , including grassland , marshes , and farmland .
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Size:7.5 - 9.8 in ( 19 - 25 cm )
These small hooter dwell in grasslands and comeupance where they enjoy feeding on insects , small mammals , and reptiles . Burrowing owls are among only a handful of owls that favor to hound during the daylight , spend their nights tucked away in their dens . When burrows are not available to them , these highly adaptable birds make their domicile in bucketful , pipes , and tubing . tunnel owls have a gamey tolerance for carbon dioxide than other birds , enabling them to spend more fourth dimension huddled up in a small space . These shuttlecock cleverly expend dung to carpet their dens , which ask in insects to confab , providing the birds with an easy repast . Burrowing owl have also been known to hoard shining physical object , such as feeding bottle caps , paper clips , and bits of atomic number 50 transparency .
tunnel owls have long legs and an unsloped posture . They also have vivid yellow eyes and although their reddish - brown plumage resemble both the barred and circumboreal owl , the fact that they live on the ground makes it easy to differentiate between these species . Burrowing owls are somewhat tranquil , with males producing luxuriously - pitched “ coo - coo ” to oppose their territory and pull Ilex paraguariensis .
As their name suggests , burrowing bird of Minerva make their homes in surreptitious burrows , usually lead behind by prairie dogs . you may witness burrowing owls yr - round throughout the southwest , predominantly in California , Arizona , New Mexico , and Texas . However , this owl ’s breeding compass extends much farther north , up to Washington , Montana , and North Dakota .
Snowy Owl
genus Bubo scandiacus
Size:20.5 - 27.9 in . ( 52 - 71 cm )
Snowy bird of night are the heaviest owls , with adults averaging between 3 and 5 pounds . Their obtuse plumage makes them weightier , but it also allows them to defy the cold temperature of the Arctic tundra . These are powerful birds at roughly 28 inches long with a wingspread of 57 inches . They ’re strong-growing , too , using their sharp talon and strong animal foot to defend their district from predators and contender . These owl Leigh Hunt almost exclusively during the daytime and can consume more than 1,600 lemmings in a year . Their voracious appetence can have a devastating impact on their food for thought supply , but these skilled fliers are willing and able-bodied to vaporize south in search of prey . white bird of Minerva populations have declined 64 % since 1970 due to illegal hunting and vehicle collision , as well as climate change .
juvenile of the species have chocolate-brown and black markings over a cornerstone of blank plume . As these birds mature , they lose most of their marker . At adulthood , males will be almost pure white , with females retaining some of their patternings . These hooter have hoarse voice and use a variety of calls , the most frequent of which is a rhythmic “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy bird of night do n’t live in the United States all twelvemonth long , however , they do winter in the northern state of matter . you could see snowy owls from Washington all the agency across to Maine . In years when their best-loved prey was specially limited , snowy hooter were sighted as far in the south as Florida , so it ’s potential to distinguish one of these beauties no matter where you are in the U.S.
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Size:19 - 22 in . ( 48.25 - 56 centimetre )
master copy of camouflage , block up bird of night can be tough to spot . luckily , their gimcrack hooting calls “ Who cooks for you ? Who cooks for you all ? ” are promiscuous to discover . Barred owls opt to lie in forest where they can track down rabbit , squirrels , and even raccoons . These bird of Minerva control a serious population godsend in the 20th 100 , expanding their chain of mountains to admit forestland in the westerly states . block bird of night lean to stay close to home throughout their aliveness , often only traveling around a 6 - geographical mile radius . Like barn owls , barred owls are monogamous and do most of their hunt at dark .
With their cryptic chocolate-brown heart and aristocratic unit of ammunition faces , barred bird of Minerva look on the button as you would expect owls to front . These birds are covered in ruddy - brown feathers with white horizontal stripes or bars . debar owls are most commonly spotted on the edges of woods at crepuscule , where they can easily place their prey .
Once relegated to southeastern Canada and New England , the barred bird of Minerva expanded westward . These owls can now be found in parts of Minnesota , Nebraska , Kansas , and Oklahoma . Barred owls have become quite adaptable , and can be spotted in urban area as well as rural regions . These birds are passing territorial , with mated pairs have into hooting matches with outsiders in parliamentary law to defend their homes .
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Family : Tytonidae
Size:12.5 - 16 in . ( 32 - 40 centimetre )
well recognized by their pale heart - influence faces , barn owls are some of the most widespread owl in the populace . These bird of night fly high in comeupance and grasslands , but can even be found in polar regions . Barn owls are specially vulgar on farms , where they like to hound for field black eye among the crops in the good morning and evening , and where they can take shelter in barn during the daylight . With their serrated flank , these fearsome predatory animal fly noiselessly as they go in for the kill . Barn owls are monogamous , matte up for biography . They do not build nests but opt to lay their orchis in the hollows of trees . The amount of food these bird receive has a direct encroachment on how many eggs they lay — the more vole , rats , and shrews they eat up , the more owlet in their brood .
Barn owls are quite lanky compare to other owl . They have bombastic hazel to brown eye set in concave , centre - regulate faces that are fence by a delicate outline of pale brown feathers . Barn owls are milk white in color with tan and rust browned plume on their backs and flank . These owls do not hoot but instead opt to communicate via screaming .
you could find the barn owl in all but the uppermost region of the U.S. Even though these birds are common throughout the nation , their universe is dwindling moderately due to habitation loss . Barn owls domicile year - rhythm as far south as Texas and Arizona , as far east as Pennsylvania , and all across the Pacific Northwest .
How to Attract Kansas Owls to Your Backyard
While some bird of Minerva , like the boreal owl and the whiskered scream - owl , forfend humans and can be baffling to recover , other owls , like the bar owl and eastern and westerly screech - bird of Minerva , are much easier to draw in .
Installnesting boxeson tree diagram , rod , and wall to further your neighborhood owls to take up hall on your holding . pass on brush , forest piles , and former lawn trimmings provides homes for voles , field mice , rabbits , gophers , andsnakes . hold plenty of these critter nearby is a surefire direction to get your local owl ’ care .
Because many bird of Minerva care to feed onsongbirdsandsquirrels , setting up a birdie feeder andgetting a bird bathcan also advance hooter to make up you a visit . Of course , some bird work to scare owls off . Jay , crows , ousel , grackle , and starling regularly rabble owls , so take measures to scare these birds away — take down starling nest boxes , and take out cracked corn and peanuts from your birdfeeder , which are the preferred foods of these shuttlecock .
Owls have intercourse to sit on pole and in leafless trees because they make it easier for them to spot prey . check that your owls have mess of berth to rest on . you may also attract these birds by limiting your outside activity , especially in the other morning and belated evening hours when they care to hound . Together , all of these measure will aid your neighborhood bird of night palpate right at plate in your backyard .
All State Owls
Want to see what bird of Minerva species are found in other province ? Here ’s our staring list of bird of Minerva found in each state :
