Do you know that there are 225 owl species in the world?
If you’re a nature lover or believe in personal legends, there’s an incredible diversity of different owls in the United States. But not all owls are the same. And you have to know your owl vocabulary to tell them apart.
Want to discover more about different owls in the country? Here’s a list of the most common.
1. Barred Owl
These owls are brown and white with dark streaks on their chest and belly. They are large owls with a wingspan of up to four feet.
2. Great Horned Owl
These owls are brown and white with dark brown or black barring on their chest. They have large, prominent ear tufts, which give them their name. Great horned owls have a wingspan of up to five feet.
3. Eastern Screech Owl
One of the most common is the Eastern Screech Owl. These owls are small, with reddish-brown or gray plumage. They have yellow eyes and prefer to nest in trees.
Screech Owls can even nest near your home or in your garden. You can install owl boxes in the trees in your backyard and watch how they move or eat.
If you’re looking for the best owl nesting boxes, then click here for more info.
4. Pygmy Owl
These types of owls are small, with a body length of only about six inches. They are brown and white with brown streaks on their chest and belly.
5. Saw-Whet Owl
These tiny owls are only found in North America and are named for their distinctive call. Saw-Whet Owls are found in many habitats, including forests, swamps, and urban areas. These owls are nocturnal hunters and prey on small mammals and birds.
6. Short-Eared Owl
The Short-Eared Owl is a medium-sized owl with prominent ear tufts. It ranges from 14-18 inches and has a wingspan of approximately 3 feet. The Short-Eared Owl is found throughout North America.
It is a migratory bird, wintering in southern parts of the United States.
7. Long-Eared Owl
The Long-Eared Owl is a medium-sized owl with long, prominent ear tufts. It is brownish-gray in color with streaks of white on the upper parts, and it has a white face with dark eyes.
8. Great Gray Owl
These owls are gray with white streaks on their chest and belly. They have a wingspan of up to six feet, making them the largest Owl in North America.
9. Burrowing Owl
It is a small owl with a round head and no ear tufts. The Burrowing Owl is found in open areas with short vegetation, such as prairies, deserts, and farmland. The Burrowing Owl is a state symbol of South Dakota, Utah, and Colorado.
10. Hawk Owl
The Hawk Owl is a medium-sized owl with a round head and no ear tufts. It has a hooked beak and large, dark eyes. Its back is brown with white spots, and its belly is white with brown streaks.
It hunts day and night, eating small animals like mice and voles.
Different Owls in the US
There are different types of owls in the world, some of which can be found in the United States.
Different owls have their own plumage and unique facial features. Some owls are nocturnal, while others are diurnal. You might see an owl hunting during the day or at night.
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