Types of Owls: 19 Species Found Across the United States

Great Horned in oak woods, Barn in barns, Saw-whet in dense conifers. Range narrows ID fast.

Nineteen owl species are found across the United States. The smallest is the 5-inch Elf Owl of the desert Southwest; the largest is the 25-inch Great Grey Owl of the boreal North. Most regions hold 4-6 species, and habitat almost always tells you which to expect: woodlots favour Eastern Screech and Barred, barns and grasslands favour Barn Owl, conifer forests favour Saw-whet and Great Horned. Once you know your region’s regulars, ID by silhouette and call becomes quick.

The 19 species, by region

Widespread across most of the US:

1. Great Horned Owl - large, ear-tufted, “hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo” call. Almost every habitat.
2. Barn Owl - pale, heart-shaped face, screeching call. Barns, grasslands, low elevation.
3. Barred Owl - large, dark eyes, “who-cooks-for-you” call. Mature woodlands, especially in the East.
4. Eastern Screech Owl - small, ear-tufted, trilling whinny call. Suburban woodlots.
5. Western Screech Owl - very similar to Eastern, accelerating “bouncing-ball” trill. West of the Rockies.
6. Northern Saw-whet Owl - tiny, no ear tufts, single repeated “toot” call. Dense conifers.
7. Long-eared Owl - medium, long ear tufts, secretive. Dense conifer or willow.
8. Short-eared Owl - medium, tiny ear tufts, hunts in daylight over grasslands and marshes.

Northern boreal and mountain:

9. Great Grey Owl - largest US owl, no ear tufts, deep slow hoot. Boreal forest.
10. Northern Hawk Owl - tail-bobbing diurnal hunter, looks like a hawk. Boreal Canada, occasional in northern US.
11. Boreal Owl - small, square-headed, trilling whistle. High elevation conifers.
12. Snowy Owl - large, white, Arctic breeder, irregular winter irruptions south.

Southwest desert:

13. Elf Owl - smallest US owl, 5 inches, tiny. Saguaro and oak woodlands of Arizona, southern New Mexico.
14. Whiskered Screech Owl - very small Mexican species, just into southeast Arizona.
15. Flammulated Owl - tiny, dark-eyed, ponderosa pine specialist. Western mountains.

Florida and tropical:

16. Burrowing Owl - small, long-legged, ground-dwelling. Open prairie and Florida sandy soils.
17. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl - very rare, southeast Arizona and south Texas.

Specialist owls:

18. Spotted Owl - large, dark, threatened. Old-growth conifers of Pacific Northwest and Southwest mountains.
19. Northern Pygmy-Owl - very small, diurnal, fierce hunter. Western mountains.

Habitat first, then call, then silhouette

The fastest field ID sequence:

1. Habitat narrows the candidates to 2-4 species in most regions.
2. Call confirms most of those candidates instantly. Owl calls are highly distinctive and barely overlap.
3. Silhouette at dusk: ear tufts or no, large or small, perched upright or hunched.
4. Eye colour seen close - yellow (most species) vs dark brown (Barred, Spotted, Barn, Flammulated).

The combination of “what habitat I’m in” and “what call I’m hearing” identifies 90% of owls without ever seeing the bird clearly.

When and where you'll actually see them

• Dusk and dawn - most owls are crepuscular more than fully nocturnal. The first hour after sunset and before sunrise is best.
• Daytime roosts - look in dense conifers, ivy-clad oaks, or barn rafters. Whitewash splash and pellets at the base of a tree confirm an active roost.
• Winter - leafless trees expose roosting owls. November-February is the easiest viewing window in most of the US.

Late winter and early spring (January-March) is also when most species are vocal as they set up breeding territory.

No. 01

National Audubon Society Birds of North America

All 19 in one volume.

A regional field guide will cover the owls in your state. The Audubon master volume covers all 19 US owl species in one place, with full plates, habitat detail, and range maps. Easier when you're planning a trip to a different region or trying to ID an out-of-range vagrant.

• 800+ species, full North America
• Owl section includes calls described phonetically
• Hardback format for desk reference

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Audubon · 2021 Ed.

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The bottom line

The US has 19 owl species, from the 5-inch Elf to the 25-inch Great Grey. Most regions hold 4-6 species. Habitat narrows the candidates, call confirms the bird, and the easiest viewing windows are dusk through dawn in winter when leaves are off.

For more, see owl digestion and pellets, owl talons, and when to put up an owl box.