Owls are fascinating birds of prey that are active primarily at night. They have a number of unique adaptations that enable them to thrive as nocturnal hunters. But where exactly do they spend their days while we are up and about? The answer depends on the species.
Nesting Sites
Many owls spend their days in and around their nests or in the cavities of trees. Owlet-rearing activities keep adult owls close to the nest during daylight hours. Once the owlets are grown, the adults may roost more distantly during the day. Here are some details on where different owl species nest and roost:
- Barn owls nest in cavities like barns, silos, and hollow trees.
- Eastern screech owls and elf owls nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes.
- Great horned owls and barred owls often nest in an abandoned hawk, crow, or squirrel nest.
- Burrowing owls nest underground in burrows made by mammals like prairie dogs.
- Snowy owls nest on the ground, often on small rises or hills.
- Great gray owls nest high up in broken treetops.
The nest provides shelter and camouflage for adult and young owls during the day. Many species will continue using the nest as a roosting site after the owlets have fledged. The familiar cavity remains a safe place to retreat from daylight.
Cavities and Hideaways
In addition to nesting cavities, owls may tuck themselves away in other natural hollows and hideaways:
- Tree cavities and broken treetops
- Crevices and holes in cliffs and rock faces
- Dense coniferous foliage
- Hollow logs on the forest floor
- Small caves and overhangs
These spots offer protection from the elements and concealment from predators. The gloom of such sheltered nooks is more similar to the dim nighttime conditions under which owls thrive.
Camouflage
Another daytime survival strategy used by some owls is camouflage. By blending into their surroundings, roosting owls escape the notice of potential predators.
- Great gray owls align themselves on thick tree branches, nearly disappearing among the lichens.
- Long-eared owls flatten themselves against tree bark where their mottled plumage mimics lichen patterns.
- Short-eared owls settle on the ground among grass tufts matching the brown stripes of their feathers.
- Burrowing owls vanish against the bare earth of their burrow entrances.
With their cryptic coloration and habit of closing their eyes to thin slits, motionless owls effectively vanish into the landscape.
Sheltered Perches
Some owls don’t hole up inside a cavity or hide themselves with camouflage. They may simply perch on a branch in a sheltered spot:
- Among dense foliage
- Under overhanging eaves
- Behind a chimney or column
- On a porch or patio rafter
- Under a roadside overpass
Any place that offers shade and obstruction from harsh daylight will work for a roost. Detection by predators is still a risk, though the owl remains ready to take flight if disturbed.
Migration and Wintering Areas
Not all owl species remain in the same area year-round. Some species migrate south for the winter while northern owls may migrate into more southern regions when food gets scarce. Here is where some migrant and wintering owl species are likely to be found during the day:
- Burrowing owls – scattered across grasslands and agricultural fields of the southern U.S. and Mexico
- Short-eared owls – southern Canada, northern and central U.S. grasslands and marshes
- Long-eared owls – dense conifer forests across much of the U.S.
- Northern saw-whet owls – dense conifer and mixed forests across the southern Canada and the U.S.
- Snowy owls – Great Plains and Great Lakes regions of the U.S., coastal marshes
Food availability and shelter determine which areas migratory owls populate during the winter months. Their winter habits remain quite secretive as they lays low in cavities and dense vegetation.
Unusual Daytime Habits
While most owls try to remain hidden during daylight, a few species are occasionally active during the day:
- Burrowing owls – may forage near their burrows
- Great horned owls – may leave the nest to capture prey for owlets
- Snowy owls – may hunt on Arctic tundra during the nearly endless summer days
- Northern hawk owls – may opportunistically hunt for food during the day, especially in winter
These examples are outliers though. Overall, owls are far more active at night as a rule. Even strictly nocturnal owls may sometimes be seen roosting or flying during daylight under special circumstances like disturbance of a roost site or pairing and nesting behavior. But daytime activity is rare due to the owls’ light sensitivity and vulnerability to predators.
| Owl Species | Daytime Shelter |
|---|---|
| Barn Owl | Cavities in barns, silos, hollow trees |
| Eastern Screech Owl | Tree cavities, old woodpecker holes |
| Great Horned Owl | Abandoned nests in trees |
| Burrowing Owl | Underground burrows |
| Snowy Owl | Nests on open tundra ground |
| Great Gray Owl | Broken treetops |
| Long-eared Owl | Camouflaged against tree bark |
| Short-eared Owl | Hidden in ground vegetation |
Conclusion
In summary, owls employ a diverse range of survival strategies to safely spend the daylight hours when they cannot hunt effectively. Taking shelter in cavities, thick vegetation, abandoned nests, and other natural hideaways is the most common tactic. Camouflage, or roosting in semi-sheltered spots, is also used by some species. Migratory owls seek out habitats in their wintering grounds that provide ample daytime cover. While owls are masters of the night, their ability to disappear and take refuge during the day allows them to survive and thrive in a variety of habitats around the world. Understanding their daytime habits provides insight into the unique lifestyles of these fascinating nocturnal raptors.
