19 Owl Species in the US You Need to Know About

When people hear the phrase “19 Owl Species in the US,” two things usually come to mind: First, the incredible variety of owls that silently glide through American forests, deserts, and grasslands—each with its own unique look and call. Second, the curiosity of bird lovers, wildlife photographers, and even pet owners who want to understand these mysterious nighttime hunters and their impact on local ecosystems.

In this easy-to-follow guide, we’ll introduce you to all 19 owl species in the US found. Whether you’re wondering, “What types of owls live near me?” or “How can I identify an owl by its call or appearance?”—you’ll find practical tips, simple identification tricks, and expert advice right here. We’ll also share insights into owl habitats, conservation efforts, and how learning about these fascinating birds can help you make informed decisions as a pet owner or nature enthusiast. Get ready to discover the secrets of America’s owls and learn how to spot each one in the wild!

What Makes Owls Unique in the US?

Owls are some of the most fascinating birds found across the United States. Here’s what makes them special, how they survive in so many places, and why they need our help.

Key Characteristics of Owls

• Nocturnal Habits:
  Most owls are active at night. They hunt when it’s dark and rest during the day. Some, like the Snowy Owl and Burrowing Owl, are active during the day or at dawn and dusk.
• Amazing Hunting Skills:
  Owls have sharp talons and strong, hooked beaks for catching and eating prey. Their large eyes help them see in low light, and their excellent hearing lets them find animals even in total darkness. Their soft feathers allow them to fly almost silently, sneaking up on their food.
• Unique Calls:
  Each owl species has its own special call. Some hoot, others screech, whistle, or even bark. These sounds help them find mates, defend their territory, and communicate with family.

Adaptations for Life in Diverse US Habitats

• Camouflage:
  Owls have feathers that blend in with their surroundings. This helps them stay hidden from both prey and predators. For example, Snowy Owls are white to match snowy fields, while Barred Owls have brown and white stripes to blend into forests.
• Specialized Feathers:
  Their soft feathers help them fly quietly, which is important for sneaking up on prey.
• Flexible Diets:
  Owls eat many different animals, including mice, insects, birds, and even fish. This helps them survive in forests, grasslands, deserts, and cities.
• Different Sleeping Spots:
  Some owls sleep in tree holes, some in dense branches, and others, like Burrowing Owls, even sleep underground.

Conservation Concerns and Legal Protections

• Threats:
  Many owls are in trouble because of habitat loss, climate change, and competition with other species. Pesticides and rodenticides can also poison owls when they eat affected prey.
• Endangered Species:
  Some owls, like the Northern Spotted Owl, are threatened and need special protection.
• Legal Protections:
  In the US, owls are protected by laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This law makes it illegal to harm, capture, or sell owls, their eggs, or their nests. Special rules also protect endangered species and their habitats.

Owls are amazing hunters with unique skills and adaptations that help them thrive all over the US. But they still need our help and protection to survive for future generations.

Detailed Profiles of Each Owl Species

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

• Description: Medium-sized, pale with a heart-shaped white face, long wings, and dark eyes.
• Size: About 12–16 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Found across the US in grasslands, farmlands, deserts, and even near towns.
• Behavior: Nocturnal; hunts by flying low over open fields, listening for small mammals.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern, but threatened by habitat loss and pesticides.
• Fun Fact: Has one of the most haunting screeches of any owl.

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

• Description: Large, round head, dark eyes, brown and white bars on chest.
• Size: About 16–25 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Eastern and Pacific Northwest forests, swamps, and woodlands.
• Behavior: Nocturnal; famous for its “Who cooks for you?” call.
• Conservation Status: Stable, but expanding range causes problems for other owls.
• Fun Fact: Sometimes called the “hoot owl.”

Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus)

• Description: Small, brown with white spots, yellow eyes, rounded head.
• Size: 8–11 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Northern forests in Alaska, Rockies, and Canada.
• Behavior: Secretive, mostly nocturnal, hunts from perches.
• Conservation Status: Not globally threatened, but sensitive in some US areas.
• Fun Fact: Hard to spot, often only heard at night.

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

• Description: Small, long legs, brown with white spots, yellow eyes.
• Size: About 7–10 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Open grasslands, deserts, prairies, and even airports.
• Behavior: Active day and night; lives in burrows, often made by mammals.
• Conservation Status: Threatened in some states due to habitat loss.
• Fun Fact: They bob up and down when alarmed.

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)

• Description: Small, ear tufts, gray or reddish color, yellow eyes.
• Size: 6–10 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Eastern US in forests, parks, and suburbs.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, uses tree cavities for nesting.
• Conservation Status: Stable.
• Fun Fact: Comes in two colors—gray and reddish.

Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)

• Description: Tiny, grayish-brown, no ear tufts, pale yellow eyes.
• Size: About 5 inches tall (smallest owl in the world).
• Range & Habitat: Southwest deserts, especially near saguaro cacti.
• Behavior: Nocturnal; migrates to Mexico in winter.
• Conservation Status: Numbers declining due to habitat loss.
• Fun Fact: Will play dead if caught by a predator.

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

• Description: Small, brown or rufous, streaked underparts, “false eyes” on back of head.
• Size: About 6 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: South Texas and Arizona in woodlands and deserts.
• Behavior: Active during day and dusk; hunts insects, birds, and lizards.
• Conservation Status: Rare in the US, more common in Mexico.
• Fun Fact: Other birds often mob this owl because it hunts small birds.

Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus)

• Description: Tiny, dark eyes, small ear tufts, gray or reddish.
• Size: About 6–7 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Western mountain forests.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, migrates to Mexico for winter.
• Conservation Status: Stable but hard to study.
• Fun Fact: Eats mostly insects.

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa)

• Description: Very large, gray, yellow eyes, round face with white “bow tie.”
• Size: Up to 27 inches tall (largest owl in North America by length).
• Range & Habitat: Boreal forests in the far North and mountains.
• Behavior: Hunts at dusk and dawn, perches silently.
• Conservation Status: Rare and local in the US.
• Fun Fact: Can hear prey moving under deep snow.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

• Description: Large, ear tufts, yellow eyes, mottled brown and gray.
• Size: 18–25 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Widespread across the US in forests, deserts, cities.
• Behavior: Mostly nocturnal, powerful hunter.
• Conservation Status: Stable and common.
• Fun Fact: Can take down prey larger than itself.

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

• Description: Medium-sized, long ear tufts, orange face, streaked chest.
• Size: About 13–16 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Woodlands and grasslands across much of the US.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, roosts in groups in winter.
• Conservation Status: Stable but secretive.
• Fun Fact: Roosts in dense trees, making them hard to spot.

Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula)

• Description: Medium-sized, long tail, yellow eyes, brown and white streaks.
• Size: About 14–16 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Alaska, northern forests, sometimes seen in northern US.
• Behavior: Active day and night, hunts like a hawk.
• Conservation Status: Not threatened, but numbers change with prey.
• Fun Fact: Can spot prey from half a mile away.

Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium californicum)

• Description: Tiny, round head, brown with white spots.
• Size: About 6–7 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Western forests and mountains.
• Behavior: Active during the day, hunts small birds and mammals.
• Conservation Status: Stable.
• Fun Fact: Has “false eyes” on the back of its head.

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

• Description: Small, round head, big yellow eyes, brown with white spots.
• Size: About 7–8 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Forests across northern and western US.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, often heard more than seen.
• Conservation Status: Stable.
• Fun Fact: Named for its call, which sounds like a saw being sharpened.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

• Description: Medium-sized, short ear tufts, streaked brown and buff.
• Size: About 13–17 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Open fields, marshes, prairies, and tundra.
• Behavior: Active at dawn and dusk, hunts low over fields.
• Conservation Status: Declining in some areas due to habitat loss.
• Fun Fact: Sometimes nests on the ground.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

• Description: Large, white with black spots, yellow eyes.
• Size: About 20–28 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Arctic tundra; winters in northern US, often seen on open fields and coasts.
• Behavior: Active during the day in winter.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable due to climate change.
• Fun Fact: Made famous by Harry Potter’s owl, Hedwig.

Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)

• Description: Medium-sized, dark eyes, brown with white spots.
• Size: About 16–19 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Old-growth forests in the West.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, very sensitive to habitat changes.
• Conservation Status: Threatened and declining.
• Fun Fact: A symbol for forest conservation.

Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)

• Description: Small, gray or brown, ear tufts, yellow eyes.
• Size: About 7–10 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Western US forests, deserts, and suburbs.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, uses tree cavities.
• Conservation Status: Stable.
• Fun Fact: Its call sounds like a bouncing ball.

Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis)

• Description: Small, gray-brown, fine streaks, white “whiskers” near beak.
• Size: About 6–7 inches tall.
• Range & Habitat: Southern Arizona and New Mexico in pine-oak forests.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, very secretive.
• Conservation Status: Very rare in the US.
• Fun Fact: More common in Mexico, only a few live in the US.

These 19 owl species show just how diverse and special owls are in the United States. Each one has its own story and role in nature!

Owl Habitats Across the United States

Owls in the US live in many different places. Each species has its own favorite type of habitat, which affects where they are found and how they behave.

Main Habitats

• Forests:
  Many owls, like the Barred Owl, Great Gray Owl, and Northern Spotted Owl, prefer forests. Some need old, mature trees for nesting and hunting. Forests provide cover, food, and nesting sites.
• Grasslands and Prairies:
  Species such as the Burrowing Owl and Short-eared Owl live in open grasslands, prairies, and even fields. These owls often nest on the ground or in burrows and hunt for small mammals in open spaces.
• Deserts:
  The Elf Owl and Western Screech-Owl can be found in desert regions. They use cacti, desert trees, or holes in rocks for nesting and shelter.
• Tundra:
  The Snowy Owl is famous for living in the Arctic tundra, but it sometimes comes south to open fields and coasts in winter. Tundra habitats are cold and treeless, so these owls nest on the ground.
• Urban and Suburban Areas:
  Some owls, like the Barn Owl and Great Horned Owl, are very adaptable. They can live near farms, in cities, or even in barns and parks.

Owls and Pet Ownership: What You Need to Know

Owls are beautiful and fascinating birds, but many people wonder if they can keep one as a pet. Here’s what every pet lover should know before even thinking about bringing an owl home.

Can You Keep an Owl as a Pet?

• It’s Illegal for Most People:
  In the United States, it is illegal for private individuals to keep native owls as pets. Only people with special training and permits, such as wildlife rehabilitators, educators, or licensed falconers, can have an owl, and even then, the owl is not considered their personal pet. The government still “owns” the bird and can take it back if rules aren’t followed.
• Strict Laws Protect Owls:
  Owls are protected by laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Breaking these laws can lead to serious fines or even jail time.
• Ethical Concerns:
  Taking owls from the wild or trying to keep them as pets is unfair to the birds. They belong in nature, not in a cage or a house.

Why Owls Are Not Suitable as Pets

• Wild Nature:
  Owls are not domesticated. They are wild animals with instincts and behaviors that don’t fit into home life. They can be aggressive, territorial, and even dangerous, especially to children or other pets.
• Messiness:
  Owls are very messy. They eat whole animals, so you have to feed them things like mice and chicks. They also poop a lot, regurgitate pellets, and make a big mess that’s hard to clean up.
• Special Needs:
  Owls need a lot of space to fly, hunt, and exercise. They are active at night, so they will be noisy when you want to sleep. Their care is complicated and expensive, and they can live for many years.
• Not Cuddly or Social:
  Unlike parrots or canaries, owls do not enjoy being handled or cuddled. They are solitary and often bond with only one person, making them difficult to manage.
• Legal Protection:
  Most native owls are protected by federal and state laws. Even with a permit, you are required to use the owl for education or rehabilitation, not as a pet.

Safer Alternatives for Bird Enthusiasts

If you love birds and want a feathered friend, consider these easier and safer options:

• Parakeets (Budgies):
  Small, friendly, and easy to care for. They can learn to talk and enjoy being with people.
• Cockatiels:
  Gentle, affectionate, and playful. They are good for families and can be trained.
• Canaries and Finches:
  Beautiful singers and easy to keep. They are happy in pairs or small groups.
• Lovebirds:
  Small, colorful, and social. They enjoy company and can bond with their owners.
• Visit Sanctuaries or Volunteer:
  If you want to help owls, volunteer at a wildlife center or sanctuary. You can see owls up close and help care for them in a safe, ethical way.

Owls are amazing, but they are not pets. They are wild, messy, and protected by law. Choose a friendly pet bird instead, or support owl conservation by visiting sanctuaries and learning more about these wonderful creatures in their natural habitats.

Conclusion

Why Learning About the 19 Owl Species Matters

• Owls are special birds that live all across the United States, from tiny Elf Owls to huge Great Gray Owls.
• Each owl species plays an important role in nature. They help control pests and keep ecosystems healthy.
• Learning about owls helps us understand how unique and valuable they are. It also helps us see the problems they face, like losing their homes and changes in the environment.
• When we know more about owls, we can help protect them and the wild places they need.

Call to Action

• Support Owl Conservation:
  You can help by supporting groups that protect owls and their habitats. Even small actions, like planting native trees or putting up nest boxes, make a difference.
• Share Knowledge:
  Talk to friends, family, and your community about why owls matter. Teaching others helps spread respect and care for these amazing birds.
• Observe Owls Responsibly:
  Watch owls from a distance, avoid disturbing them, and follow good wildlife-watching practices. Responsible behavior keeps owls safe and wild.

Owls are wonderful and mysterious birds. By learning, sharing, and caring, we can all help make sure the 19 owl species in the US continue to thrive for generations to come.

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