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The sizes and shapes of owls vary quite a bit. Large owls such as the Great Horned or Snowy Owls can reach lengths of 2 feet and have wingspans reaching 4 feet across. Smaller owls, such as the Northern Saw-whet, are as small as 7 inches with 17 inch wingspans. The Elf Owl, found in the southwest US and Mexico, is a mere 5 inches with 15 inch wingspans. Owls are primarily solitary nocturnal hunters. They roost in trees, usually with an open view of their hunting ground and wait for a small animal to pass. Like primates, owls have binocular vision, enabling them to pinpoint prey in a 3D field of vision, but unlike primates they cannot move their eyes. Instead they move their heads, and most can twist more than 270 degrees. Owls have excellent vision both in the dark and at a distance, but they are far-sighted and can't focus properly on objects that are very close. To help compensate for this deficiency, owls have specially adapted hair-like feathers around their beaks and on their talons that increase tactile sensitivity; enabling them to better handle their prey. With over 200 species world-wide, owls can be found in most corners of the globe (not in Antarctica or Greenland). Here in New York State we are blessed with eight nesting species of owl, including the endangered Short-eared (Asio flammeus). One of the best places to observe owls in New York State is Owl Woods in the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area. |
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| Some interesting facts about owls: | ||||||||||
*The descriptions below generally
describe adult specimens. |
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| Recommended bird guides for New York State: | ||||||||||
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| A Guide to New York State Owls | ||||||||||
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Common Barn Owl |
AKA:
White owl, Silver owl, Ghost owl, Hissing owl, Monkey-faced
owl, Church owl, Death owl, Golden owl. Identifying characteristics: A moderately-sized owl with a haunting look. Heart-shaped facial disc (mask) outlined by golden brown. Black eyes and a pale beak. White underparts with golden-brown upperparts. Small black and gray spots present throughout most of the body and wings. The legs and talons are large and lightly feathered. Size: From 12.5 to 16 inches in length with wingspans reaching 43 inches. Females are generally larger than males (by about 10 to 20%). Habitat: A variety of habitats from wild to urban. They tend to stick to open grasslands and agricultural fields. Nesting: They require cavities in trees, cliffs, nest boxes, caves or inside man-made structures for nesting. Nests are usually lined with shredded pellets. Food: Carnivore. Any small animals, especially rodents. Hunts nocturnally from low flight or from a low perch (usually fence posts). It often utilizes its acute hearing to locate prey in darkness. Flight: Slow wing beats; often tilting; panning head; usually low to the ground. Video1; Video2 Vocalization: Screeches and hisses. Audio1; Audio2 Predators: Weasels will often invade nests; Raccoons; Great Horned Owls; domestic cats and dogs. Reproduction: Barn Owls are monogamous and will remain in pairs for the remainder of their lives. They usually breed once a year, with the timing and frequency depending on food availability, but usually occurring in the warmer months. Males will circle females fending off other males and screeching. Males will also hover in front of a perched female for short periods of time in a display referred to as a moth flight. Male-females chases are also common. The female lays 5-7 white, spotless eggs (a few at a time for several days). The female incubates the eggs constantly, and the male hunts. Eggs hatch in 30 days. It takes about 8 weeks for juveniles to learn to fly and leave the nest. Other info.: Barn Owls rarely live more than a few years. They are unable to store much energy as fat, so if unable to catch enough food, they will die. Barn Owls are often utilized with great effectiveness by farmers as natural mouse traps. They are one of the most widely distributed species of bird in the world. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: common
Barn Owl signs Look for nests in steeples, barn lofts, caves. Gray compact cylinder-shaped pellets will be abundant. They often contain bone and fur and will be gritty/sandy throughout. They will be darker and shiny when fresh. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. |
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Barred Owl |
AKA:
Hoot owl, Striped owl, Wood owl, Rain owl, Swamp owl, Eight
hooter Identifying characteristics: A moderately-sized owl with dominant light gray feathers with brown horizontal stripes on the neck and chest and vertical stripes on the belly. Brown stripes radiate from the eyes encircling the facial disc. The eyes are dark brown. It has no ear tufts. Size: From 16 to 25 inches in length with wingspans reaching 4 ft. Females are generally larger than males (by about 10 to 20%). Habitat: Moist coniferous or mixed forests close to water; wooded swamps. Prefers old-growth. Canopy cover for roosting and cavities in trees for nesting. Roosts in dense foliage high off the ground. Nesting: They nest in tree cavities, but may also take over a hawk, squirrel or crow nest. Food: Carnivore. Any small animals, especially field voles and mice, and sometimes insects and small birds. Prey as large as rabbits are also captured if the opportunity arises. Their proximity to water allows them to swoop down and capture fish and basking frogs. Hunts nocturnally but sometimes before dark or on overcast days. Snatching prey usually involves a steep dive from a high perch. Flight: Frequent wing beats; quiet; rarely soars, but often flies high. Video1. Vocalization: A very vocal owl, often conversing with others through a series of calls and responses. Calls occur year round, but peak in February and March and then again in August. "Hoo-hoo-to-hoo-oo" and the response: "hoo-hoo to wha-aa" is common and unique to this species. A monkey-like squall is also common. Video1; Audio1; Monkey call video Predators: Great Horned Owls; Humans Reproduction: Barred Owls begin pairing with courtship calls that begin around Feb. Actual breeding doesn't occur until March and will last into the summer. Courtship calls are usually followed by chasing and dances. Females will lay from 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated for roughly 30 days. During this time the male does all the hunting. Juveniles leave the nest after a month to roost on a nearby branch and learn to fly after six weeks. It will be 4-6 months longer before they set out on their own. Barred owls breed once per year. Other info.: Although they pair for life, they are solitary for most of the year, returning to their partner only during breeding season. Pairs often have adjacent territories. Barred owls live roughly 10 years in the wild. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: common
Barred Owl signs Gray compact cylinder-shaped pellets will be abundant. They often contain bone and fur and will be gritty/sandy throughout. They will be darker and shiny when fresh. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Look for them under dense cover of evergreens, up high, roosting close to trunks as wide or wider than their bodies.
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Great Horned Owl |
AKA:
Hoot owl, Cat owl, Winged tiger Identifying characteristics: A moderately-large-sized owl with mottled white, brown and black feathers. Small, dark horizontal bars on the underside. The upper parts are a mottled brown. The facial disc is orange-brown, outlined with bold black on the top and sides and a white band just under the chin. The eyes are a bright yellow. The beak is black. Large horn-like ear tufts protrude above the ear, giving the owl its name. These tufts can be raised or lowered. The legs and talons are large and powerful. Size: Averaging from 18 to 25 inches in length with wingspans from 3 to 5 ft. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: A variety of habitats from wooded marsh to deserts, but they prefer dense deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. Mated pairs are permanent residents. Nesting: They generally use abandoned red-tailed hawk, crow or heron nests. Food: Carnivore. Hunts nocturnally. Any small animals, like rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats, skunks, porcupines, or small birds. Prey as large as rabbits are also captured if the opportunity arises. Rarely amphibians, reptiles and fish. Snatching prey usually involves a swift, steep dive from a high perch with wings folded. Flight: Strong, silent, stable, flap and glide. Vocalization: A variety of sounds; Hoots, shrieks, coos, barks. Recognizable "hoo-hoo hoooooo hoo-hoo" from males. Male/female dialog peaks in Jan/Feb. Video1; Audio1; Audio2 Predators: Other great horned owls; Humans Reproduction: They begin pairing with courtship calls that begin in January and last throughout February. Females will lay from 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated for roughly 30 days. During this time the male does all the hunting. Juveniles leave the nest after 5 weeks to roost on a nearby branch and learn to fly after 9 weeks. After 2 months they set out on their own. Great horned owls breed once per year. Other info.: Although they pair for life, they are solitary for most of the year, returning to their partner only during breeding season. Pairs often have adjacent territories. Great horned owls live roughly 13 years in the wild. They are competitors with the Red-tailed Hawk, sharing overlapping habitats, territories, food and nests, which the horned owls tend to take over. The hawks are diurnal, while the owls are nocturnal, allowing them both to fill a niche. The Great Horned's size, strength and ability to live in various climates and utilize a multitude of prey have made it very successful. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: common
Great Horned Owl signs Elongate gray cylinder-shaped pellets will be abundant. They often contain bone and fur, sometimes scales or feathers, and will be gritty/sandy throughout. They will be darker and shiny when fresh. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Look for them under dense cover of evergreens, up high, roosting close to trunks. |
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Long-eared Owl |
AKA:
Brush owl, Cat owl, Pussy owl, Lesser horned owl, Cedar owl. Identifying characteristics: A medium-sized owl with mottled white, brown and black feathers. The mottling is arranged in vertical streaks along the chest and belly which clearly differentiates it from great horned owls. The body is very slender with long wings that cross the back when perched and a long tail. The facial disc is rusty-brown, outlined with bold black outline and a white band just under the chin. The eyes are a bright yellow-orange and the beak is black and surrounded by light gray feathers. Large, black-lined ear tufts protrude from the top of the head. These tufts can be raised or lowered. The legs and feet are heavily feathered. Size: Averaging from 13 to 16 inches in length with wingspans from 3 to 3.5 ft. Females are larger than males (by roughly 10%) Habitat: Open forest or dense vegetation adjacent to grasslands or marsh. Hedgerows; gullies; small wooded patches. Nesting: They migrate to areas with denser vegetation. Long-eareds generally use abandoned crow or hawk nests. Video1 Food: Carnivore. Hunts nocturnally. Small animals such as voles and field mice. It will fly low to the ground back and forth over fields with its head tilted (most likely listening to the ground). When prey is located it pounces on it and kills it with its talons and beak. Flight: Silent; slow powerful wing beats in intermittent gliding low to the ground (with head tilted to the side). Ability to hover like a moth. Video1 Vocalization: A variety of sounds; hoots, shrieks; hisses; coos. Most notable is the repetitive "hoo...hoo...hoo...hoo...(repeated continuously)" from males during breeding season. Males will also clap their wings during courtship. Audio1(male). Predators: Great horned and barred owls; raccoons. Humans. Nests are vulnerable to a variety of predators. Reproduction: They begin pairing with courtship calls that begin in February and last throughout the following spring when they begin to nest. Males will put on flight displays and clap their wings. Females will lay from 4-5 white, glossy eggs, which are incubated for roughly 27 days. During this time the male does all the hunting. Juveniles leave the nest after 3 weeks to roost on a nearby branch and learn to fly after 5 weeks. After 2 months they set out on their own. Long-eared owls breed once per year unless a clutch (their young) is lost. Other info.: The long-eared owl's long ears are not actually ears. They are tufts of feathers, the purpose for which is not entirely clear. Although they pair for life, they are solitary for most of the year, returning to their partner only during breeding season. Pairs often have adjacent territories. Long-eared owls rarely live more than 10 years in the wild. When roosting, their slender form and excellent camouflage make them look just like a branch. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: rare
Long-eared Owl signs Elongate gray cylinder-shaped pellets will be abundant. They often contain bone and fur and will be gritty/sandy throughout. They will be darker and shiny when fresh. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Look for them under dense cover of trees. Their slender shape makes them look like branches. They may also be caught flying low to the ground over fields at twilight. |
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Northern |
AKA:
Saw-whet, Acadian owl, Kirkland's owl; sawwhet
(misspellings: sawwhet, sawhet, saw-wet) Identifying characteristics: A small owl with mottled white and brown feathers. Dark bars on the whitish chest and belly are vertical. Small white spot/lines on the head radiating from the facial disc, which is white around the eyes and goes from beige to brown towards the sides of the head. The head is large and round with no ear-tufts. The eyes are large and yellow-orange. The beak is black. The tail is short. The feet are large and feathered white. Video1 Size: The smallest owl in North America. Averaging from 7 to 8.5 inches in length with wingspans from 17 to 22 inches wide. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: Coniferous or mixed forests with abundant undergrowth and woodpecker cavities for nesting. They are migratory birds that tend to move south to warmer climates in the late fall and return in late winter. Not all specimens migrate. Nesting: Saw-whets will nest within woodpecker holes and other tree cavities as well as nest boxes. Food: Carnivore. Hunts nocturnally from dusk until dawn. They primarily feed on small animals such as field mice, voles and shrews, but also large insects such as beetles and grasshoppers. Saw-whets will perch low to the ground and wait for prey to come by. It will pounce and kill the prey with its talons and beak. Because of its small size it will often eat the prey in pieces and store what it cannot eat on a branch nearby. If the food freezes, the owl will thaw it by incubating it like an egg. Flight: Silent; low to the ground; fast and frequent wing beats. Vocalization: This owl gets its name from its most common vocalization, which sounds like a saw being whetted or sharpened. This call often sounds like a whistle or even a beep. Audio1. Predators: Larger owls; larger hawks; raccoons; martins; humans. Nests are vulnerable to a variety of predators. Reproduction: Males begin calling in March and continue through April. Flight displays are put on by the male and prey is usually offered to the female. After pairing, the female chooses a nest site in a tree cavity. The female lays 5-6 white eggs and incubates them for roughly 27 days. During this time the male hunts for the family. 2 to 5 weeks later the young leave the nest and learn to fly, but may return to the nest on and off for 6 to 8 more weeks. Females abandon the nest first, while the males continue to take care of the young. Saw-whets breed once per year. Other info.: The saw-whet owl is solitary and primarily monogamous, although their migratory nature often leads them to pairing with a new mate each breeding season. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: common; more so during winter migrations.
Saw-whet Owl signs Small gray cylinder-shaped pellets will be present. They often contain bone and fur and will be gritty/sandy throughout. They will be darker and shiny when fresh. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Look for them under dense cover of small coniferous, low to the ground (from 3 to 8 ft). Their small and slender shape makes them look like branches. |
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Eastern Screech Owl |
AKA:
Common screech owl; Ghost owl; Dusk owl; Spirit owl; Little
horned owl; Dusk owl; Cat owl; Demon owl Identifying characteristics: A small owl with two color variations: a slightly mottled, but generally uniform gray; or a mottled reddish-brown form. In both color forms dark feathers form somewhat of a vertical striping pattern on the chest and back. They have prominent ear-tufts, which can be raised and lowered, but often tend to stand where the outer edge is flush with the side of the owl's head. The facial disc is outlined with dark line on the sides, slightly dark feathers around the eyes, and two dark stripes that extend down from the ear tufts to towards the beak. Their feet are large and feathered. The eyes are yellow. The beak is grayish-yellow. Size: Averaging 8 inches in length with wingspans just under 2 feet. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: Can be found virtually anywhere, except at high elevations. They seek out areas with plenty of food and natural or man-made cavities for nesting. Although they prefer sparse deciduous or mixed woods, they do just fine in urban and suburban areas. Nesting: Nests are constructed in deciduous tree or man-made cavities and are not lined with anything. Food: Carnivore. Nocturnal; concentrating its hunting during the first several hours of darkness. They feed on small rodents, flying insects (caught on the wing), small squirrels, shrews, and birds of various sizes. Screech owls will perch in a high location and swoop down on prey when the opportunity arises. Flight: Silent and fast with a steady wingbeat and the head tucked into the body. Rarely glides or hovers. Vocalization: Easily some of the most distinct owl calls with two common songs: Song 1 is a 3 to 4 second long low-pitched trill: Song1 (male). Song one is usually repeated, with short pauses in-between or as a duet with a female. Song 2 is a higher pitched, whiny trill, often sounding like a horse. Song2 (male). Various clucks, hisses and other noises are made when the owl is threatened. Predators: Larger owls; skunks; raccoons; weasels; snakes; opossums; humans. Reproduction: Courtship calls begin in late March and last throughout mid May. Courtship involves calls and dances. Females will lay from 4-5 white eggs, which are incubated for roughly 26 days. During this time the male does all the hunting. After the eggs hatch, the female will share the hunting responsibilities. Juveniles leave the nest at 8 to 10 weeks. Screech owls generally breed once per year but may have a second clutch when resources are ample. They pair for life, but remain solitary outside of breeding season. Other info.: Screech owls have been known to live more than 13 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity. The different color variations are not unlike blondes and brunette hair types in humans. The different morphs may mate with each other and produce viable offspring with shared traits. The color morphs may influence the type of tree the owl roosts in (for better camouflage). |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: Common in NY State.
Screech Owl signs Look for nests in natural tree cavities or in bird boxes, or other man-made cavities. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Pellets may be present. Look for their stubby body shape when they fly. Screech owls will often get mobbed by groups of Blue Jays, Chickadees or other songbirds defending their territory. Screech owls are often spotted in the daylight hours during one of these confrontations. |
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Short-eared Owl |
AKA:
Evening owl, Marsh owl, Bog owl, Field owl, Grass owl,
Meadow owl Identifying characteristics: A medium-sized owl with boldly mottled beige, white and brown feathers. Strong vertical barring is present on the underside. The body is plump compared to the long-eared owl. The facial disc has beige plumage between the eyes and surrounding the beak; black surrounding the eyes and brown radiating outward towards the rim. The chin has a band of white below the facial disc. The eyes are a bright yellow and the beak is black. Ear tufts are present and barely visibly as small protrusions or ridges at the top of the head. The wings have a very dark brown patch at the "wrists" that are clearly visible when flying. The tail is long. The legs are white. Size: Averaging from 13 to 17 inches in length with wingspans from 3 to 3.5 ft. Females are larger than males (by roughly 10%) Habitat: Open, flat and treeless areas like meadows, crop land, with a strong preference for marshes and bogs. Sparse ground cover is needed for nesting. They are migratory birds that tend to move south to warmer climates in the late fall and return in late winter. Not all specimens migrate. Nesting: Short-ears nest on the ground, unlike most other owls. Nests are usually on grass tuff or within other types of vegetation and lined with grass and feathers. They are nomadic owls and rarely re-use the same nest. Food: Carnivore. Diurnal, hunting at sunset and sunrise. During breeding season, they may begin their hunting in the late afternoon. Feed on small animals such as voles, field mice and squirrels and sometimes insects, amphibians and other birds. If no perch is available they will fly low to the ground back and forth over fields and may hover over dense vegetation to listen and watch for hiding prey. Flight: Silent; strong and irregular wing beats like a moth or bat. Flies back and forth over field or marsh hunting grounds. Video1 Vocalization: One of the quieter owls; hoots, barks, clucks, squeals. Most notable is the repetitive "hoo" (5-10 times) from males during breeding season. Females will shriek and cluck. Males will also clap their wings during courtship. Audio1(male). Predators: Bald Eagles; goshawks; red-tailed hawks; great-horned owls; snowy owls; skunks; raccoons; foxes; coyotes weasels; humans. Their ground nests are vulnerable to a variety of predators. Reproduction: Breeding begins in March with elaborate flight displays wing clapping, food offerings and territorial disputes. Calls are not as frequent with this species as with other owls. The female lays 4-9 white eggs and incubates them for about a month. During this time the male does all the hunting. The young leave the nest for nearby branches after 10 to 14 days and learn how to fly after about a month. They become independent 1 to 2 weeks later. Short-eared owls generally breed only once per year. Although primarily monogamous, their migratory behavior may lead to them choosing a new mate each year. Other info.: Although generally solitary, shortages of roosting/nesting sites (usually in winter) and abundances of prey usually push large groups to roost together. Short-eared owls rarely live more than 4 years in the wild. Our region's loss of open habitats suitable for this species has lead to its decline and "endangered" status. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: Endangered in NY State.
Short-eared Owl signs Look for feather and grass-lined nests in grass mounds or other ground cover in open fields or marsh. Pellets may be present. Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Pellets may be present. Look for their moth-like flight back and forth over their hunting grounds ranging an hour before and after sunrise. Then again at sunset. |
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Snowy Owl |
AKA:
Snow owl, Ghost owl, Arctic owl, Tundra owl, White owl. Identifying characteristics: A large owl, primarily white, with dark brown horizontal barring or speckling. Females and juveniles tend to have heavier marking, while adult males are almost completely white. Both sexes will lighten as they age. Their black beak is almost completely covered in feathers. The facial disc is always white. The eyes are yellow. The legs and feet are heavily feathered. Size: Averaging from 20 to 28 inches in length with wingspans averaging 5.5 ft. Females are larger than males (by roughly 10 to 15%) Habitat: Open, flat arctic tundra; grasslands and open fields; agricultural areas; They prefer little to no snow-cover. They are migratory and nomadic birds that will fly south to warmer climates (including New York State) in the winter when prey in the tundra is scarce. Nesting: Snowy Owls nest on the ground, unlike most other owls. Nests are usually on slightly elevated ground, boulder or other structure. Hawk nests may also be used. Nests are lined with grasses, twigs and/or feathers. They do not nest in New York. Food: Carnivore. Diurnal, hunting during the daytime. They feed on lemmings, voles, mice, rats, rabbits, fish and other small animals. Sometimes short-eared Owls and other birds. They hunt from perches and will swoop down to grab prey. They have the ability to find prey by noticing tiny movements and sounds through thin layers of snow. Flight: Silent; strong wing beats an intermittent glides. Flies close to the ground in short bouts. Video1 Vocalization: Snowy owls are generally silent during their stay in New York State. In the tundra they bark, hoot and emit a variety of sounds. Predators: In New York State the Snowy Owl has almost no predators. They may be killed by traffic. Most are harassed by competing birds of prey. In the tundra a variety of animals attack their nests, such as wolves and foxes. Reproduction: The snowy owl does not breed in New York. Breeding begins in April/May with elaborate flight displays, dances and prey offerings from the male. Calls are not as frequent with this species as with other owls. The female lays 5-8 white eggs and incubates them just over a month. During this time the male does all the hunting. The young leave the nest for nearby branches after roughly 25 days and learn how to fly after about two months. They become independent 1 to 2 weeks later. Snowy owls breed only once per year. Although primarily monogamous, their nomadic behavior leads to them choosing a new mate each year. Other info.: Solitary; rarely found in groups outside of breeding season. Snowy owls rarely live more than 9 years in the wild. These heavily-feathered birds can cool off on warm days by panting and spreading and waving their wings. |
Distribution
Elsewhere
Where to spot them in Upstate NY: Status: migrant
Snowy Owl signs Whitewash (droppings) will be dripped generously down tree trunks and other objects below favorite perches. Pellets may be present. Look for them perched near open fields and lakeshores with little to no snow/ice-cover in winter. Fence posts, utility poles and trees. |
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Thanks to MrBirdNerd, Brenda and Kelly. |
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