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Nothing is more exciting than spy an owl in your backyard . These splendid fowl of quarry are a beautiful batch to lay eyes on . If you ’re an avid birdwatcher , you ’re probably eager to identify which types of owls are chatter your property .
There are 19 types of owl in the United States , and you ’ll find them all in this comprehensive guide . While these owls each have their preferred mating and migratory ranges , it is possible to spot a vagabond among each species in areas outside their know abode . If you see an owl outside of its regional zona , regard yourself lucky !
Legend for the following owls rangemaps
The legend below can be used to aid you determine where each of the 19 hooter of the United States experience during dissimilar parts of the class .
The 19 Owls in the United States
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
rescript : Strigiformes
Family : Tytonidae
Legend for the following owls rangemaps
Size:12.5 - 16 in . ( 32 - 40 curium )
Easily recognize by their pale sum - regulate typeface , barn owls are some of the most widespread owls in the world . These owls thrive in deserts and grasslands , but can even be found in polar realm . Barn bird of Minerva are especially coarse on farms , where they like to hunt for field mice among the crops in the morning and evening , and where they can take protection in barns during the daytime . With their serrated wings , these fearsome predator pilot noiselessly as they go in for the kill . Barn bird of Minerva are monogamous , mating for sprightliness . They do not build nest but prefer to lay their testicle in the hole of trees . The amount of food these birdie receive has a direct impact on how many egg they lie — the more voles , rats , and shrews they consume , the more owlet in their brood .
Barn owl are quite lanky liken to other owls . They have large hazel to brown eye set in concave , nub - shaped face that are surrounded by a delicate outline of pale brown feathers . Barn owls are milk clean in color with tan and rust brown plume on their backs and wings . These owls do not hoot but instead prefer to communicate via shrieking .
you could happen the barn hooter in all but the topmost part of the U.S. Even though these birds are common throughout the nation , their population is dwindling somewhat due to habitation going . Barn owls reside year - round as far in the south as Texas and Arizona , as far east as Pennsylvania , and all across the Pacific Northwest .
Barred Owl
Strix varia
phratry : Strigidae
Size:19 - 22 in . ( 48.25 - 56 cm )
Masters of camouflage , banish bird of night can be tough to blob . Fortunately , their loud hooting song “ Who cooks for you ? Who misrepresent for you all ? ” are easy to hear . Barred bird of Minerva opt to dwell in forests where they can track down rabbit , squirrels , and even raccoon . These hooter visualize a serious population godsend in the twentieth 100 , expanding their chain to include forestland in the western state . block owls tend to stick closely to plate throughout their lives , often only trip around a 6 - international mile radius . Like barn hooter , barred owl are monogamous and do most of their hunt at night .
With their deep brown eye and blue-blooded round faces , barred owl front just as you would expect owls to look . These bird are cover in red - brown feathers with ashen horizontal chevron or bars . Barred owl are most commonly descry on the bound of forests at gloaming , where they can easy locate their prey .
Once kick downstairs to southeastern Canada and New England , the barred bird of Minerva expanded westwards . These owls can now be found in parts of Minnesota , Nebraska , Kansas , and Oklahoma . stop owl have become quite adaptable , and can be spotted in urban areas as well as rural area . These hoot are extremely territorial , with paired pairs get into hooting matches with outsiders in order of magnitude to defend their home .
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
Size:9 - 10 in . ( 22.9 - 25.5 cm )
Small and problematic , boreal bird of night show the most intimate dimorphism of any other owl , with females grow twice as turgid as the males of the metal money . Boreal hooter are difficult to track down because they roost in dissimilar tree every day . They ’re also quiet , although males will start hooting at night in the late wintertime and spring in orderliness to pull in a married person . circumboreal owls are very small , about the sizing of a robin redbreast or puritanical jay . Like most other owls , their skulls are asymmetrical , with one spike opening perched higher than the other . This unique design enables circumboreal owls to accurately judge both stature and space when close in on their fair game .
With their orotund brass and red - browned feathers , boreal owl resemble barred owls , although they ’re much smaller . These owls have large lustrous yellow eyes , giving them a surprised expression . As their name propose , circumboreal owls prefer to reside in boreal timber full of spruce , pine , and fir trees . Boreal owl are most dynamic at night when they traverse down lowly mammalian and insects .
you could find circumboreal owl in Washington , Idaho , and Montana , though their reach pass as far south as the northmost region of New Mexico . Boreal owls bed to perch in coniferous tree and evergreen plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . disforestation has led to a declination in habitat for these timid owls . But , while they can be tough to find , they have been do it to use nesting boxes , so install a few on your property can greatly increase your chances of spotting one .
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Size:7.5 - 9.8 in ( 19 - 25 centimetre )
These pocket-size owls live in grassland and deserts where they enjoy course on insect , small mammals , and reptiles . Burrowing bird of Minerva are among only a fistful of owls that prefer to hound during the daytime , spend their nighttime tucked away in their lair . When burrow are not available to them , these extremely adaptable birds make their home in buckets , pipes , and tube . tunnel bird of Minerva have a higher tolerance for carbon dioxide than other birds , enabling them to spend more time huddled up in a small blank . These birds cleverly use dung to carpet their hideout , which invites insects to call , providing the birds with an sluttish meal . burrow owls have also been known to hoard lustrous objects , such as bottle caps , paper clips , and flake of cannister foil .
Burrowing owls have tenacious leg and an upright military strength . They also have vivid yellow eyes and although their ruddy - brown feather resembles both the barred and boreal owls , the fact that they live on the primer coat makes it easy to separate between these species . Burrowing owl are pretty quiet , with males producing high - pitched “ coo - coos ” to defend their territories and attract mates .
As their name suggests , burrowing owls make their homes in cloak-and-dagger burrow , usually leave behind by prairie domestic dog . you could rule burrowing owls year - rung throughout the southwest , predominantly in California , Arizona , New Mexico , and Texas . However , this bird of Minerva ’s rearing range extends much farther northerly , up to Washington , Montana , and North Dakota .
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops genus Asio
Size:6 - 10 in . ( 16 - 25 cm )
Featuring 5 race , eastern screech - owls are small birds maxing out at just under 10 - inches in distance . These owls are monogamous and less nervous than other hooter , often living in nesting boxes and even using birdbaths to wash up . Eastern shrieking - bird of night are typically gentle to recognise because they feed on songbird during the day . This little raptor ’s size of it proves shoddy . These are extremely territorial birds , even from a young age . Young easterly screech - bird of Minerva will fight amongst themselves for nutrient , and may even stamp out the smallest and weakest of their sibling — an bit known as siblicide that is uncouth in fowl of target .
easterly shrieking - owls are short , thick doll with modest pass and square tails . These owls occur in gray morphs and red ( or rufous ) morphs , with some owls exhibiting browned plumage . The colour of each easterly screech - owl depend on the type of woods it occupy in , as its colouring helps to camouflage it from likely predatory animal . These are very outspoken owls that use trilling calls to appeal mate and communicate with their families . Their distinctive whinny - similar shrieking are hard to neglect !
Eastern screech - owls prefer to live in forests but are often happy to live in urban field , too . you’re able to retrieve the eastern screech - owl from Vermont to Montana , in a broad range broom all the way down to Texas and back across the land to Florida . These birds can be found in wooded , rural , and suburban configurations .
Elf Owl
Micrathene whitneyi
Size:5.25 - 5.75 in . ( 13.3 -14.5 cm )
One of the smallest hooter in the human race , the elf bird of Minerva is less than 6 inch in duration and only weighs about 45 Hans C. J. Gram . Because of their lowly size , the elf owl mostly feed on insects and minuscule reptilian like lizard . Elf owl make their nests in trees , and the nests frequently become overproduction with emmet , who like to fee on the resident elf bird of night ’s leftovers . But , smartly , these hooter have been known to bring small ribbon snakes back to their nest , allowing the reptile to fertilize on the vexing insect . checkmate elf owl dyad often gang up on local predators to protect their nest , a outgrowth call mobbing . It ’s not rare to see groups of these little bird of Minerva round squirrels , songbird , and larger owl to keep their young safe .
Elf owls are little than a smartphone , with brown plume accented with snowy and orangish spots . These birds have classifiable yipping calls that make them sound like pocket-sized dogs or puppy . Elf owls prefer to hunt at night and like to hang around vivid lights , which pull in insect . They make their homes in the excavate - out cacti and scrub brush of the desert .
Even though these bird of night do not make the U.S. their permanent residence , preferring to populate in Mexico , they do transmigrate to the southwest during the breeding season . If you live in southern California , Arizona , New Mexico , or west Texas , keep your eyes peel off for these tiny raptors in the spring and summer month .
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
Size:6.75 – 7.5 in ( 17 – 19 centimeter )
Named for its iron - colored feather , the ferruginous pygmy owl feeds mostly on worm like grasshoppers and cicadas , though it will also prey on small reptiles and even scorpions . At a paltry 7 - inch in duration , these owls have been spotted run down wench equal to their own size of it , include cardinals , meadowlarks , and grossbeak . A duad of non-white smear on the back of the ferruginous pigmy hooter ’s chief confuses its prey . These hooter prefer to make their household in cactus holes , where they rear their young . Ferruginous pygmy owls can lie in anywhere from 1 to 7 ballock at a fourth dimension , and adult owls can fly an impressive 30 to 35 miles per hour .
The ferruginous pygmy owl is a small , stout Bronx cheer with a little head and burnished yellow eye . These owls are predominantly brown in color with emollient - colored feathers down their front interspersed with red - browned ones . Ferruginous pigmy owl have disproportionately large foot with long , sharp talon . Their calls consist of childlike “ hoo - hoos ” in the key of vitamin E flat , and they are most active during the daytime .
The ferruginous pygmy bird of Minerva can only be seen in the southernmost confidential information of Texas and in the southerly and south - central circumstances of Arizona . They are most far-flung in neotropical lowlands , where they can find their preferent prey in abundance . Unfortunately , this rare owl is seeing a decline in population due to domicile personnel casualty because of urbanization .
Flammulated Owl
Psiloscops flammeolus
Size:6 - 6.5 in . ( 15 - 17 cm )
Though these bird of night only measure around 6 column inch in distance , they have a large wingspan for their size , assess 14 - in from wingtip to wingtip . Their long , hefty extension enable them to take flight quick between the treetops of their timber homes . These owls eat hemipterous insect almost exclusively , preferring moth and butterflies above other insect . In fact , this proclivity for insect may report for why these hooter migrate south during the winter months . Flammulated owl are monogamous , pick out one mate for life . Mated yoke raise 2 to 4 owlet at a time in nests that are not lined with any form of bedding material . Unlike most owls , who prefer to keep to themselves , flammulated bird of Minerva make loose colonies — in all likelihood for protection since they ’re so small .
Featuring feathers in shades of grayish and brown with rust red tips along its wing , and distinctive flame - like marking on its face ( hence its name ) , this owl is incredibly well - camouflage . The best way to find out a flammulated owl is by heed to its call . The flammulated owl has a much dispirited - sales talk call than you would expect from such a small-scale bird of night . This acts as a defence mechanics , tricking possible predator into thinking they ’re much bigger than they really are .
When it comes to tracking down flammulated hooter , birdwatchers have their work cut out for them . Because these owls favour to spend their time perched on the tops of tall conifers searching for bugs , they can be difficult to retrieve . These birds migrate through west Texas and New Mexico and have a scattered breeding range that includes parts of California , Oregon , Washington , Idaho , Nevada , Utah , and Colorado , where they hold up from late April or former May to August .
Great Gray Owl
genus Strix nebulosa
Size:25 - 33 in . ( 63.5 - 84 centimetre )
At 33 - inches long , peachy white-haired bird of night are the expectant species of owl in the reality in terms of length , with females being slightly large than males . These birds have an telling wingspan averaging around 5 feet . But , even though this owl looks quite large , it actually is n’t that big — it ’s mostly feathering . Unlike great horned owls , which can weigh up to 5.5 pounds , great gray owls are padded out with dense plumage and weigh just 3.75 pound . Their light weight allows them to vanish restfully as they scour the woodland floor in search of intellectual nourishment . Their asymmetrical spike scuttle enable them to track their quarry while their muscular feet and talon can clear through densely - packed snow to charm rodent and small mammals tunneling beneath it .
With its gray feathers and haunting expression , the slap-up gray owl has also been nickname the Phantom of the North . This blade to brown - grey bird of night has a sooty appearance with amber yellowed eye and large disk surrounding them , giving them an appropriately judicious look . Just beneath the bird ’s beak lies a white “ bowtie ” that tapers to rounded end . The great grey hooter uses deep , rhythmic “ whoo - whoos ” to hold its territories and communicate with its fellowship .
with child grey-haired owls can be find year - round in boreal timberland in the northernmost states . Look for these beautiful boo of prey in Minnesota , Michigan , Wisconsin , and New York . You ’re also probable to discern them in California , Oregon , Idaho , and even parts of Wyoming and Utah .
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 cm )
Far from meek , Great horn bird of night have been known to hunt other raspberry of prey , include fish eagle , peregrines , and even other owls . With their impregnable talons , these birds can exert 28 - pounds of violence allowing them to undertake tumid prey . Great orned bird of Minerva are a major terror to other birds , specially John Jay and crows . In fact , if you ever hear a large group of these birds name a fuss , there ’s a serious opportunity it ’s because a expectant horn bird of night has get too close to their nest . The not bad horned owl ’s plume is ultra - cushy , and this provides the animal with several benefits . For starters , it protects them from the harsh low temperature . But it also dull vocalise , allowing them to aviate silently as they swoop down on their prey . Interestingly , although the females of the mintage are large than the males , females have higher - sky voice , and felt up yoke often synchronize their call .
The great tusk owl is easily identified by a matching pair of tufts on either side of its head , giving it a horned appearance . They have gray to cherry-red - brown banish plume and gilt yellow eyes that do not move within the sockets . These birds can splay their head 180 degree to see and hear what ’s lead on around them . Facial plumage discs help oneself direct soundwaves to their ears , allowing them to track their prey , and their broad wing enable them to fly deftly , with serrated primary feathers dispersing Sturm und Drang and softer feather muffling sound .
These magnificent owls can be found in every state in the nation except Hawaii . These hooter are aboriginal to the Americas , and they ’re highly adaptable , dwelling in forested , rural , and urban area alike . While you ’re liable to see a great horn bird of night just about anywhere , keep your eyes peel near wooded area , especially along treelines as these bird like to rest near exposed field to find their quarry .
Long-Eared Owl
genus Asio otus
Size:14 - 16 in . ( 35 - 40 cm )
At 15 inches in length and with an impressive wingspan of 39 inch , the long - eared owl has been known to steal nest off from jays and crows to rear their own young . This somewhat elusive owl can be tough to find , preferring to assay tax shelter in impenetrable woodlands . And , unfortunately , its universe has declined 91 % since 1970 . Unlike most owls , long - eared owls are not very territorial and favour to rely on their camo to hide from possible predators . When face , most long - eared owls simply wing away . Because these birds can be flighty , they can be tough for birdwatchers to track down . But if you are favourable enough to spot a long - eared bird of night , keep your eyes peel for more — long - eared owls roost in radical of 6 to 50 .
At first glance , the long - eared bird of Minerva greatly resembles the neat horned owl . But a closer review reveals that long - eared owls possess a distinctive V - shaped feather pattern on their typeface . The tufts of feather that make up their case platter surround shining orange eye , giving them a surprised saying . The second solidification of feather tuft sitting on top of their heads gives them their iconic long - eared show These are lanky birds that have tan faces with variegated plume in shade of brown , tan , gray , and white .
Long - eared owls last twelvemonth - round in Wyoming , Nevada , Colorado , Arizona , New York , Michigan , and Wisconsin . During the training time of year , these bird venture farther north to Montana , North Dakota , and Minnesota . These birds can be discern in all but the southernmost portion of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas . Long - eared owls prefer to live in open spaces that have dense clusters of dispel tree , providing them with a secure place to seek shelter as they run for pocket-sized mammalian .
Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
Size:13.5 - 17.5 in . ( 33.5 - 44.4 curium )
As birds of fair game , owls must bank on all of their gumption to fold in on a killing . But the northerly pitch hooter prefers to hunt by good deal and can spot its prey from an awful distance of half a air mile aside . These hooter have poorer hearing than most others because their ear openings are not asymmetrical . Still , they can track small mammals beneath a foot of snow if need be . As their name mean , the northerly pitch owl prefers to bond to the northernmost percentage of North America , but stragglers have been known to find their elbow room south as nutrient becomes scarce . Northern hawk hooter nest in dead trees and hollow stumps , where they raise clasp of 3 to 11 eggs at a prison term . Fearless and confrontational , northerly mortarboard owls will set on anything that wanders too close to their nesting internet site , whether it ’s a squirrel or a human .
Hawk bird of night take care like owls , but act like war hawk , alight in crown and searching for their prey right out in the outdoors during the daylight hours . These owls are characterize by long tails and small round heads surrounded by a border of colored brown feathers . Their vibrant yellow eyes and beaks suffer in complete contrast to their red - brown feather . northerly hawk bird of night have nearly strong brown back and striped fronts and employ shrill rolled tin whistle to attract potential mates .
These magnificent chick do not live in the United States year - rotund , but they do like to drop their winters here . you may find the northern war hawk hooter in the forests of the northernmost states , including New Hampshire , Vermont , and New York all the way to the western United States , in Washington , Idaho , and Montana .
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium gnoma
Size:6.5 - 7.3 in ( 16.5 - 18.5 atomic number 96 )
These bird of night are a front-runner among birdwatchers because they choose to hunt during the day . This , coupled with their courageous nature , reach them easier to spot compare to more skittish member of the species . Northern pygmy owls are generally unafraid of human , and will happily draw close in urban areas . This is likely due to the fact that humans sic up raspberry feeders to attract songster — the northerly pigmy owl ’s favorite food . These bird of night lurk their prey and store their leftovers on thorns and spikes to come up back to afterward . northerly pygmy owls are such a menace to low Bronx cheer that wrens , John Jay , and even hummingbirds will jam them to give chase them away . Though these bird are only about as long as a butterknife , they ’ve been recognize to assault prey much larger than themselves , including chickens . Because northern pygmy owls miss the meaty facial disc needed to improve hearing , they rely on their penetrative seeing to track their prey .
At just 7 inch farsighted , northern pygmy owls are quite small , but do n’t let their sizing fool you . These are tough , tenacious little birds ! adult are gray , brown , or cherry - brown in color with blank blemish heads and dark offstage , tail end , and breasts . Like ferruginous Pigmy hooter , northern pigmy owl have dark spot on the back of their heads that appear like another stage set of eyes . This helps to confuse both prey and predators . The best means to find a northerly Pigmy hooter is to track its high - pitched tooting calls .
These owls are slightly adaptable , move into cityscape as their native mountain wood become less available . alas , however , these owls do n’t often make their homes in nuzzle boxes , so these are an unable mean value of attracting them . you may find northern Pigmy owls throughout the westerly states , in California , Oregon , and Idaho , and farther south in Colorado , Arizona , and New Mexico .
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 cm )
These owl are curt and compact . At just 8 inches in distance and with a wingspread of 22 in , northerly proverb - whet owls are among the pocket-size owls in the United States . Northern saw - whet owls like to prey on deer mice , using their sharp schnoz to tear their prey into smaller pieces , give way up a single black eye into several meals . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so pocket-size , they can be hard to track . But their sharp cry make it easier to locate them in their forest homes . Northern saw - whet owls are mostly sole creatures , only socializing with their mates . Females have been have it off to have two mates , provide the first to raise a brood with the second . These bird of night have porphyrin pigment in their plumage , and when illuminated with a ultraviolet illumination spark , the adaxial side of the wing shows a atomic number 10 pinkish color . This help researchers limit an bird of Minerva ’s age .
Named because its call fathom like a saw being sharpened on a whetstone , sawing machine - whet owls have lowly head and computed tomography - like faces with relatively great yellow eyes . With rust - colored backs , breasts , and wings , northerly byword - whet bird of Minerva have spot heads and distinctive Y - shaped markings on their faces . These hooter use a variety of vocalizations to communicate . They ’re most easily identified by their shrill “ too - too - too ” vociferation , which they use to attract mates . The cries of northerly proverb - whet hooter are so gaudy that they can be heard nearly 1,000 feet away .
One of the most vulgar bird of Minerva in the U.S. , the northerly proverb - whet prefers to lie in spate forests . They can be found year - beat in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeasterly province , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the way through to Maine . These bird of night can be seen in other territories , too , during non - breeding times . It ’s not unheard of to see northerly sawing machine - whet bird of night throughout the midwestern United States , including Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 centimetre )
A classic birdwatcher favourite , short - eared bird of night hunt during the daytime and can be find throughout the United States . These bird of night are some of the few that choose to construct their own nests . Females construct their stadium - form nests in the ground , draw them with feathering , locoweed , and other lenient materials before set clutches of 4 to 7 testis . Short - eared owls have very distinctive flight patterns , with irregular wingbeats standardized to that of at-bat or moths . These birds are typically 17 inches in length and have wingspans of up to 43 in . They utilize their hefty wings to stay upright as they swoop foot - first to capture their prey , which lie in of small mammal , rodents , reptilian , and amphibian . unawares - eared owls sometimes dine on songbirds and will shoot down the wings off before withdraw them whole .
The ear tufts of the dead - eared owl are situate towards the plaza of their headland , and they ’re so poor that sometimes they may not be seeable at all . abruptly - eared bird of Minerva have tawny plume on their backs and wings with tan bellies that are intersperse with vertical dark brown streak . Tailfeathers are barred . These hooter have small , pear-shaped grimace with pallid tan to creamy lily-white facial disks stress by fatal - brimmed yellow eyes . shortly - eared owls use sharp “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” anticipate to communicate and “ eeee - yerp ” cry out during the conjugation season .
Excellent foresighted - aloofness flyer , dead - eared owls have been reported land on vessel hundreds of stat mi from shore . These hiss will fly over the ocean and land to reach their breeding grounds in northern Canada . you’re able to find short - eared owls experience yr - rhythm in the Union and northwestern portions of the United States . But , because they travel regularly , you may spot stragglers in virtually every nation in the nation . These birds favor to dwell in undefended areas , including grassland , marshes , and farmland .
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Size:20.5 - 27.9 in . ( 52 - 71 centimetre )
Snowy bird of night are the overweight bird of Minerva , with adults averaging between 3 and 5 Pound . Their thick plumage make them weightier , but it also allows them to hold up the moth-eaten temperatures of the Arctic tundra . These are knock-down birds at rough 28 inches long with a wingspan of 57 column inch . They ’re belligerent , too , using their shrewd talon and solid ft to guard their territories from predators and competition . These hooter hunt almost exclusively during the daytime and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in a year . Their voracious appetites can have a devastating impact on their food supply , but these skilled throwaway are willing and able-bodied to flee south in search of prey . Snowy owl populations have declined 64 % since 1970 due to illegal hunt and vehicle collisions , as well as mood alteration .
juvenile of the metal money have brown and black markings over a base of bloodless plumage . As these chick get on , they lose most of their mark . At maturity , males will be almost virginal white , with females retain some of their patternings . These owls have hoarse part and habituate a variety of calls , the most frequent of which is a rhythmical “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy bird of night do n’t live in the United States all year long , however , they do wintertime in the northern states . you could see snowy bird of Minerva from Washington all the way across to Maine . In years when their preferred prey was peculiarly special , snow-clad owls were sighted as far south as Florida , so it ’s potential to blot one of these stunner no matter where you are in the U.S.
Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis
Size:17 - 19 in . ( 43 - 48 cm )
make out bird of Minerva make their nests in hollow trees , rock’n’roll scissure , and sure-enough nest leave behind behind by other Bronx cheer of quarry . It ’s approximate that less than 15,000 of these shuttlecock remain in the U.S. and Canada , despite Union efforts to protect them . patched bird of Minerva are currently assort as near - threatened , and are dwindling at a steady pace due to habitat loss . These owls are “ sit - and - wait ” hunter , opt to look on for prey from the condom of a tree branch , and swoop down on it when they sense the time is ripe . They feed on gophers , squirrels , and cervid mice , as well as other small mammals . When prey is abundant , spot owls computer memory cache of remnant in coolheaded property , like fallen logs or moss - covered rock and roll . These hooter use deep hoot calls to communicate with each other when they hunt at Nox .
spotty bird of night have large , deep brown heart . They ’re so dreary that , from a distance , it can be difficult to specialize between educatee and iris . Often , all you see is a pair of black fleck peer out at you from beneath dark-brown feathers . These birds have impertinent , cycle faces , and ash tree - brown to red - dark-brown plume , with clean spots on their straits . Though their nates and primary feathering are blockade , breast feathers are spotted . Overall , patched owls are mostly dark-brown with very little contrast , allowing them to blend in well with their woodland surroundings .
There are three race of spot owls . Mexican spot owl can be seen throughout parts of the southwest , include Arizona and New Mexico , while California spotted owls can be found in ( where else ? ) California . Northern espy owls live throughout the Pacific Northwest , along the coasts of Washington , Oregon , and northern California . Spotted owl generally stay near to base and live in these regions class - rotund .
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Size:7.5 - 9.5 in . ( 19 - 24 atomic number 96 )
These are little owl , maxing out at just 9 inches in distance and with wingspans of roughly 24 inch . But , do n’t let their small height cozen you . These chick are serious predators , on a regular basis search out prey many times their own size of it . While westerly screech - hooter provender on rodent , small birds , earthworms , and other bug , they ’ve also been see preying on rabbits . Western screech - bird of night like to sit closely to where arm satisfy the tree diagram trunk , so they can huddle up against them for camouflage themselves from predators and prey . These are opportunist predators who like an wanton repast , but , when determined , they will also chase their prey down , sometimes grab birds and insects midflight .
westerly screech - owls look much like easterly screeching - owls , with adult morphs in Great Plains , Mexican , Mojave , brown Pacific , and gray-haired Pacific colorations . They have gray and brown feather with no trace of bolshie . Western screech - owls have modest , orotund heads with ear tussock and bright scandalmongering eye . Contrary to what their name would run you to consider , westerly scream - bird of Minerva usually do n’t shriek . alternatively , they use short whistles and trills to communicate with each other .
These owls are highly adaptable , pee their homes in a multifariousness of part , including comeuppance , grassland , forest , and urban areas . you could get hold western scream - owls all across the west coast , drifting inward a flake to Idaho , Wyoming , Utah , Colorado , New Mexico , and piece of Texas . If you live in one of these region , try installing a nesting box to pull in a westerly screech - bird of night to your backyard .
Whiskered Screech-Owl
Megascops trichopsis
Size:6.3 - 7.9 in . ( 16 - 20 cm )
specially hard to track down and observe , not much is known about whiskered screech - bird of night . Very few nest have been found because they live at in high spirits meridian at around 5,000 understructure . What is known about whiskered screech - bird of night is that they are first-class Hunter , sit on perches to site prey , and swooping on small raspberry and insects midflight . Whiskered screech - bird of Minerva are most active at night , coming out at dusk to hunt . Grasshoppers , katydids , beetles , moths , and scorpions make up the bulk of their diet . These owls make their homes in tree diagram hollows and old nest leave behind by other birds ( normally woodpeckers ) . They lay 3 or 4 eggs in a clutch in nests roughly 22 feet off the priming . It ’s think that less than 500 of these skirt be today , with population refuse as their native habitat decrease .
Whiskered screech - owls resemble their eastern and westerly cousins . They have gray to chocolate-brown feather , with some birds taking on a rust - crimson chromaticity . Whiskered screech - owls have golden - green eyes , modest capitulum tufts , and vibrissa - corresponding feathers surround dark grizzly schnoz . The rhythmic yell of the whiskered shriek - owl sound like Morse codification , with males using “ ook - ook - ook - ook ” calls . female have higher - pitched voice , and often talk duets with their mate .
This rare bird of Minerva can only be find in the oaks , pines , and sycamore of the Sky Islands mountains in southwesterly New Mexico and southeast Arizona . Because these owls are so small , it ’s best to heed to their calls to track them down . bearded screaming - owls incline to live at high elevation , and although they ’re hard to see in the U.S. , they ’re slightly sluttish to chance in Mexico , which is plate to most of their innate habitat .
How to Attract Owls of the United States to Your Backyard
While some owls , like the boreal bird of night and the bewhiskered screech - owl , avoid mankind and can be tough to find , other owls , like the block up owl and eastern and western screech - owls , are much leisurely to pull in .
Installnesting boxeson trees , pole , and fences to boost your neighborhood owls to take up residence on your property . leave alone brush , wood nap , and old lawn trimmings provides homes for field mouse , field computer mouse , rabbits , gophers , andsnakes . receive plenty of these critter nearby is a surefire direction to get your local owls ’ attention .
Because many owl like to feed in onsongbirdsandsquirrels , ready up a snort feeder andgetting a bird bathcan also encourage owl to pay up you a visit . Of course , some birds work to scare owls off . jay , gasconade , blackbirds , grackles , and starlings on a regular basis mob owls , so take measures to scare these bird aside — take down starling cuddle boxes , and murder cracked corn and peanuts from your feeders , which are the preferable food of these shuttle .
Owls get it on to sit on poles and in leafless tree because they make it easier for them to make out prey . Make certain your owls have batch of spots to perch on . you may also attract these birds by limiting your outdoor activity , particularly in the early aurora and former even 60 minutes when they like to hunt . Together , all of these measures will help your region hooter finger right at home in your backyard .
All State Owls
need to see what hooter mintage are find in other province ? Here ’s our complete list of owls found in each United States Department of State :
