Owls
Owls are among the best-known birds in folklore and literature, yet they remain something of a mystery to most people. That's not surprising, though, since they are mainly nocturnal (active at night) and hide during the day.
Their striking physical appearance and unique behaviors make it easy to understand why owls have inspired centuries of myth and legend across cultures. Owls also possess some amazing adaptations—like the 14 different neck bones that allow them to turn their heads nearly three-quarters of the way around.
In fact, it's hard not to be amazed by owls!
Types of Owls in Massachusetts
There are eight owl species that you may spot in Massachusetts. They're found in all sorts of habitats, including dense forests, wood lots, swamps, marshes, grasslands—and even residential neighborhoods!
Owls That Breed in Massachusetts
Great Horned Owl
Great horned owl © Paul Higgins
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Barred Owl
Barred owl © Joe Vincent
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| These large owls can be found in a variety of habitats throughout most of the state. They are commonly heard in winter—any time from December through February—as they seek mates. Learn more > | Barred Owls can be found in most of Massachusetts other than the southeast, and can be heard calling year-round—a call that is commonly known as who cooks for you, who cooks for you all? Learn more > | |
| Take a Listen | Take a Listen | |
Eastern Screech Owl
Eastern Screech owl @ Eduardo del Solar
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Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet owl © Paul Higgins
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| Unlike the Barred Owl, this owl is more common from the Connecticut River east, as it prefers deciduous forests. They can be heard calling in late winter and early spring. Learn more > | Saw-whets are the smallest in the eastern US at 7-8 inches long. Although they're not often seen (or heard) in the wild, an active banding program has banded a good population in Massachusetts. Learn more > | |
| Take a Listen | Take a Listen | |
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared owl © Joe Vincent
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Short-eared Owl
Short-eared owl © Joe Vincent
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| This seldom-seen Massachusetts owl prefers conifer forests and dense thickets. Few sightings of the Long-eared Owl have been recorded in the state in the last two decades. Learn more > | These owls not only prefer to hunt in open country—they actually nest on the ground. In Massachusetts, they are thought to breed only on the islands off Cape Cod. Learn more > | |
| Take a Listen | Take a Listen | |
Barn Owl
Barn owl © Paul Higgins
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| Barn Owls are very recognizable by their white, heart-shaped face. They prefer to hunt in open country. They readily nest in abandoned structures with convenient openings. Our Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Marth'a Vineryard has a Barn Owl nest box under the eaves. Learn more > |
| Take a Listen |
Owl that Doesn't Breed in Massachusetts
Snowy Owl
Snowy owl © Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon
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| These large owls breed in the Arctic, but can often be seen during their migrations spring and fall. |
| Take a Listen |
Activity
Most owls tend to focus their activities under a cloak of darkness, and do not begin hunting until shortly after dark. Long-eared Owls and Short-eared Owls often begin hunting just before sundown, and they can be seen coursing low over meadows in search of prey.
During the day, most owls are likely to sleep or doze in the security of a thick evergreen or inside a tree cavity.
Sounds
Most species are especially vocal just after sunset and then again just before sunrise. However, during courtship and the early breeding season, they often can be heard throughout the night. Some species, such as the Eastern Screech Owl and Barred Owl, will vocalize during the day too.
Pellets
Owls eat their prey (typically rodents) whole and then regurgitate the indigestible fur and bones as pellets. Sometimes you can find dozens of these pellets under a single tree if a bird has a favorite roosting spot.
The size of the pellets is often suggestive of the species:
- Finger-sized usually means a smaller owl such as a Saw-whet or Eastern Screech
- Thumb-size is likely to be a Barred or Long-eared Owl
- Barn and Great Horned Owls can produce pellets larger than golf balls
Locating Owls
Crows, Blue Jays, and other songbirds can sometimes lead you to a roosting owl. These birds engage in an instinctual behavior known as "mobbing" where they draw attention to a predator by harassing it while making loud alarm calls. If you approach the scene quietly, good views of the "mobbed" owl may be obtained.
Many owls will use the same roost tree for several days, and evidence of this can be found in "whitewash" on branches and on the ground, and owl pellets.