Owls are fascinating nocturnal birds of prey found throughout the United States. With over 200 species of owls in the world, the United States is home to around 19 native species and an additional introduced species. From the tiny Elf Owl to the large Great Gray Owl, American owls come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, occupying diverse habitats from coast to coast. Discover more below about the number of owl species that inhabit the US.
Overview of Owl Species in the US
The 19 native owl species found in the continental United States belong to two families: typical owls (Strigidae) and barn owls (Tytonidae). The Strigidae family contains most living owl species, while the Tytonidae family only includes barn owls and bay owls. Of the 19 native US owl species, 18 belong to the typical owl family and 1 species, the Barn Owl, belongs to the barn owl family.
In addition to the 19 native species, a 20th owl species found in the US is the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, a large Eurasian species that has been introduced in some regions. The 19 native species include a mix of year-round residents as well as seasonal migrants that breed in Canada and the northern US before migrating south for winter.
Owls occupy a wide range of habitats across the country, from dense forests to open grasslands and deserts. Different owl species have adapted to thrive in their preferred environments. For example, the Great Gray Owl inhabits boreal forests in mountainous areas of the western US, while the Burrowing Owl lives in open grasslands and makes its nest underground.
Native Owl Species of the US
Here is the full list of the 19 owl species native to the continental United States:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | Megascops asio |
| Western Screech-Owl | Megascops kennicottii |
| Great Horned Owl | Bubo virginianus |
| Snowy Owl | Bubo scandiacus |
| Northern Hawk Owl | Surnia ulula |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | Glaucidium gnoma |
| Burrowing Owl | Athene cunicularia |
| Barred Owl | Strix varia |
| Spotted Owl | Strix occidentalis |
| Great Gray Owl | Strix nebulosa |
| Long-eared Owl | Asio otus |
| Short-eared Owl | Asio flammeus |
| Boreal Owl | Aegolius funereus |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | Aegolius acadicus |
| Elf Owl | Micrathene whitneyi |
| Flammulated Owl | Psiloscops flammeolus |
| Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl | Glaucidium brasilianum |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | Glaucidium gnoma |
This table summarizes each species’ common and scientific name. As you can see, there is a diversity of owls adapted to many different environments, from small pygmy owls to large eagle owls.
Notable Owls of the US
While too numerous to describe in detail, some of the most notable and recognizable owl species in the United States include:
- Barn Owl – A distinctive owl with a white, heart-shaped face. It is one of the most widespread owl species.
- Eastern Screech-Owl – A small owl with ear tufts and cryptic coloration. It comes in gray and red color morphs.
- Great Horned Owl – A large and adaptable owl found across North America. It has prominent ear tufts.
- Snowy Owl – An Arctic owl that migrates south into the northern US in winter. It is all white with black spots.
- Barred Owl – A medium-sized woodland owl with distinctive brown vertical barring on its chest.
- Spotted Owl – A threatened West Coast species recognized by its chocolate brown plumage with white spots.
- Great Gray Owl – The tallest North American owl with a massive facial disk. It resides in western mountain forests.
- Burrowing Owl – A tiny owl that nests underground in abandoned burrows, notably in prairie regions.
- Elf Owl – The smallest owl in the US at about 5 inches tall. It lives in the desert southwest.
Habitats Occupied by US Owls
The diversity of owl species in the US mirrors the diversity of habitats found across the country’s vast landscape. Different owl species occupy virtually every major habitat type. Some key habitats used by different owl species include:
- Deciduous and mixed forests – Barred Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls, Great Horned Owls
- Coniferous forests – Spotted Owls, Great Gray Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls
- Deserts – Burrowing Owls, Elf Owls
- Grasslands – Short-eared Owls, Burrowing Owls
- Arctic tundra – Snowy Owls (winter)
- Marshlands – Short-eared Owls
- Urban areas – Eastern Screech-Owls, Barn Owls
Some owl species, like the Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl, are extreme habitat generalists found in many habitat types. Others are specialists adapted to a narrow range of conditions, like the Burrowing Owl of open prairies and the Spotted Owl of old-growth forests.
Geographic Ranges of US Owls
While some owl species span the continent from coast to coast, each species has its own distinct geographic distribution:
- Widespread – Barn Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl
- Eastern US – Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl
- Western US – Spotted Owl, Flammulated Owl
- Southwestern US – Elf Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
- Northern US – Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Boreal Owl
- Pacific Northwest – Spotted Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl
In some cases, overlapping ranges bring two similar species into contact, like Barred Owls and Spotted Owls in the Pacific Northwest. The more northern species tend to only reach the contiguous United States during winter migrations when they move south from Canada.
Endangered Owl Species of the US
Most North American owl populations remain healthy, but some species face significant threats and population declines. Three owls found in the United States are federally listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act:
- Spotted Owl – Threatened
- Northern Spotted Owl – Threatened
- Mexican Spotted Owl – Threatened
These spotted owl subspecies have declined due to habitat loss and competition from the encroaching Barred Owl. Conservation efforts aim to protect remaining old-growth forest habitats and reduce threats for these vulnerable species.
Owl Species Introduced to the US
In addition to the 19 native owl species, one species has been introduced to the United States:
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl – Native to Europe and Asia, small populations have become established in the wild in some regions of the western US.
The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is an apex predator that poses a threat to native wildlife in environments where it establishes itself. Monitoring and control measures aim to prevent its spread as an invasive species.
Shared Traits of US Owls
Despite their differences, the owls of the United States share many common traits and adaptations:
- Nocturnal – All owls are active at night and sleep during the day.
- Carnivorous – Owls are predatory and survive on a diet of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
- Solitary – They live and hunt alone outside of mating season.
- Stealthy flight – Specialized feathers allow nearly silent flight for ambushing prey.
- Excellent vision and hearing – Owls have binocular vision, night-adapted eyes, and asymmetrical ears to precisely locate prey.
- Claws and beaks for tearing and gripping prey.
- Camouflage coloration – Cryptic plumage helps owls blend into their environments.
These shared traits contribute to owls’ success as nocturnal predators occupying diverse niches across North America.
Number of Owl Species Worldwide
While around 20 owl species are found in the United States and Canada, there are around 250 current owl species recognized worldwide. Most owl diversity is concentrated in tropical regions:
- Worldwide: 250 species
- Africa: 75+ species
- Asia: 75+ species
- South and Central America: 75+ species
- Europe: 25 species
- North America: 20 species
The family Strigidae (typical owls) accounts for over 200 species while the Tytonidae family (barn owls) includes around 20 living species. New owl species continue to be identified by scientists, especially in the biodiverse tropics.
Owl Species Extinct and Endangered Worldwide
While most owl species remain widespread and not threatened globally, some face declining populations and high risks of extinction from habitat loss and other threats. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, worldwide there are:
- 23 Critically Endangered species
- 39 Endangered species
- 82 Vulnerable species
- 6 Extinct species
Major threats to owls globally include deforestation, agricultural expansion, invasive species, illegal trade, and climate change. Captive breeding, habitat protection, and reducing threats can help conserve at-risk owl populations worldwide.
Evolutionary History of Owls
Owls have a long evolutionary history stretching back to the Paleocene epoch. The earliest owl-like birds appeared around 58 million years ago after the extinction of dinosaurs. They gradually adapted their distinctive traits and spread around the globe.
Some key events in owl evolution include:
- ~58 million years ago – Most ancient proto-owls emerge in Paleocene
- ~55 million years ago – Early owl fossils found from Europe
- ~50 million years ago – Major diversification into modern owl families
- ~40 million years ago – More modern owl genera begin appearing in fossil record in Eurasia and Americas
- ~1-5 million years ago – Snowy Owl, Great Horned Owl, and other modern species emerge
Today’s owl diversity represents tens of millions of years of adaptation to nocturnal lifestyles across varied environments worldwide.
Significance of Owls in Native American Cultures
Owls have played significant symbolic and cultural roles for Native American tribes across the United States. Their mysterious nocturnal nature made them objects of reverence, awe, and stories in many tribal traditions.
Some Native American peoples associated owls with wisdom, vision, and knowledge. The Cherokee and Pueblo tribes related owls to foresight and protection. But they also symbolized darkness, death, and misfortune for some Plains cultures. The Ojibwe people prized Snowy Owls for their white feathers used in ceremonies.
Owls remain integral figures in the oral storytelling traditions of many Native American groups. From omens and warnings to folk stories, owls continue to be culturally significant for their distinctive traits and ties to the spirit world.
Current Threats Facing US Owls
While most North American owls remain widespread and resilient, some significant threats put pressure on vulnerable species:
- Habitat loss – From development, logging, agriculture, and wildfires.
- Climate change – May shift habitat ranges and impact prey populations.
- Habitat fragmentation – Isolates and reduces population connectivity.
- Collisions – With vehicles and manmade structures.
- Poisons – From pesticides, lead, and environmental toxins.
- Illegal trade – Trafficking of rare and exotic species.
Conservation efforts promoting natural habitat protection, sustainable practices, and reducing human threats can help maintain healthy North American owl populations into the future.
Use of Pesticides Impacts Owls
One threat facing owls in the US is secondary poisoning from pesticides and rodenticides used to control agricultural pests. When owls feed on poisoned mice and rats, they can ingest toxins that sicken or kill them.
Anticoagulant rodenticides are especially hazardous and persistent in the food chain. A study in California found 79% of owls sampled tested positive for rodenticide exposure. Outreach to reduce pesticide use can lower this risk.
Light and Noise Pollution Disrupt Owls
As nocturnal creatures, owls face increasing disruption from artificial light and noise pollution. Excessive lights can interfere with owls’ abilities to stalk prey at night. Noise pollution from traffic, urban areas, and oil and gas development also disturbs sensitive owl behaviors.
For example, Spotted Owls avoid calling and nesting near loud noise sources. Protecting areas of relative darkness and quiet helps provide the conditions owls need to thrive.
Citizen Science Contributes to Owl Conservation
Volunteer citizen scientists provide valuable research and monitoring to support owl conservation:
- Nest monitoring – Helps study breeding biology and reproductive success.
- Surveys – Locate new populations and track distribution.
- Banding – Collect data on survival rates and migration.
- Webcams – Provide livestreams of owls worldwide.
Online communities like eBird also compile owl sightings submitted by the public. Expanding community science networks aids owl protection across the country.
Reintroduction Programs Help Declining Owl Species
For critically endangered owl species, reintroduction programs that breed and release owls in the wild can prevent extinction. Notable efforts in the US include:
- Northern Spotted Owl – Experimental reintroduction studies in Oregon and California.
- Mexican Spotted Owl – Reintroduction of captive-bred owls in Arizona and New Mexico national forests.
- Burrowing Owl – Released on protected grasslands to reestablish depleted
