Owls of the United States: A List of all Species

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Imagine stepping outside on a quiet evening and hearing the soft “hoo-hoo” of an owl in the distance. These mysterious birds have fascinated people for centuries, and here in the United States, we’re lucky to share our skies with 19 unique owl species. From the pocket-sized Elf Owl—smaller than a coffee mug—to the majestic Great Gray Owl, whose wings stretch wider than a child’s height, owls come in all shapes and sizes.

But behind their beauty lies a struggle. Many owls are in trouble. A third of U.S. owl species are disappearing because forests are shrinking, harmful chemicals poison their food, and cars strike them as they hunt. The Northern Spotted Owl, for example, has been protected as endangered for over 30 years, and six other owls are now on conservation “watch lists.”

The good news? People are fighting to save them. Groups like the American Bird Conservancy are planting trees, banning dangerous pesticides, and working to keep wild spaces safe. In this article, you’ll meet all 19 owls, learn their secrets, and discover how you can help ensure these magical birds don’t vanish from our nights. Let’s dive into the world of owls—where every flutter of wings tells a story worth protecting.

Our List

Some owls need very special places to live, while others, like the Barn Owl, can live almost anywhere and are found all over the world. For this list, we are focusing only on owls found in the United States and Canada. We used information from Partners in Flight (PIF), which tracks bird numbers and their need for protection in these two countries. This means our list does not include owl numbers from other parts of the world.

Our list is in alphabetical order and includes every owl species that lives in or visits the continental United States, even if they do not stay here to raise their young. Owls are shy and often hide from people, which makes it hard for scientists to count them or know if their numbers are going up or down. When there is not enough information about an owl’s population, we have left that part out.

We hope this list helps you learn more about the amazing owls that share our country and why it’s important to protect them.

1. Barn Owl

Barn Owls, with their ghostly white feathers and heart-shaped faces, glide silently over U.S. fields and farms. About 120,000 live here, and their numbers are slowly growing. They love open spaces like grasslands and farms, where they hunt mice and rats—eating up to 1,000 a year!

But they face dangers. Losing old barns and grasslands to cities hurts their homes. Poisoned rats also kill owls when eaten. Their superpower? Amazing hearing! They can find prey in total darkness by sound alone.

You can help by putting up nest boxes, avoiding rat poison, and protecting wild fields. Let’s keep these helpful hunters soaring!

2. Barred Owl

The Barred Owl is a thriving bird in North America, with over 3 million in the U.S. and Canada. These owls love mature forests with mixed trees, where they hunt mice, frogs, and even other owls. Originally from the east, they spread west in the 1900s, adapting easily to new areas.

But their success harms the endangered Spotted Owl, which they outcompete for food and nesting spots. Logging also threatens both species by shrinking old forests. While Barred Owl numbers grow, saving Spotted Owls has led to tough choices—like removing some Barred Owls in the west. Protecting forests remains key to balancing their futures.

Relevant Post: The Fascinating World of Owls Without Feathers

3. Boreal Owl

The Boreal Owl, a small, elusive resident of North America’s boreal and alpine forests, faces uncertainty due to habitat loss. With an estimated 1.7 million individuals in the U.S. and Canada, its population trend remains unclear, as these nocturnal birds are poorly monitored. They rely on mature coniferous and mixed forests, nesting in old tree cavities created by woodpeckers—a habitat threatened by logging and wildfires. Unlike the invasive Barred Owl (which competes with Spotted Owls), Boreal Owls avoid human-altered landscapes. Their survival hinges on preserving old-growth forests, critical for shelter and prey like voles and insects. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable forestry to protect these cryptic, climate-vulnerable hunters.

4. Burrowing Owl

These charming little owls (1.1 million in U.S./Canada) live in grasslands, nesting in old prairie dog or ground squirrel burrows. Unlike most owls, they hunt insects and mice during the day, standing tall on their long legs. But their numbers are dropping fast.

They’re losing their homes as grasslands turn into farms or cities. Poison from pesticides harms their food, cars hit them on roads, and predators like cats and foxes invade their nests. In Canada, fewer than 300 remain—down 90% since the 1990s.

Conservation groups build artificial burrows and protect land to give these owls a fighting chance. Every meadow saved helps them survive.

5. Eastern Screech-Owl

The Eastern Screech-Owl, a small owl with ear tufts like tiny horns, lives in eastern U.S. and Canadian forests. Though 680,000 remain, their numbers are slowly dropping as forests shrink. These adaptable owls nest in tree holes, often near suburbs, where they hunt mice and insects at night.

They mate for life, sticking with one partner year after year. Their soft trills and whinnies fill the woods, but deforestation threatens their homes. By protecting old trees and putting up nest boxes, we can help these loyal owls thrive. Every backyard tree counts for these pint-sized pest controllers!

6. Elf Owl

The Elf Owl, one of the world’s smallest owls (weighing less than a golf ball!), calls the southwestern U.S. and Mexico home. About 40,000 live in the U.S./Canada, though exact numbers are unclear. These pint-sized birds nest in desert scrub, often in old woodpecker holes in cacti or trees. They feast on insects, even scorpions—carefully removing stingers first! Sadly, habitat loss from development threatens their survival. Elf Owls migrate to Mexico in winter, avoiding cold deserts. Conservation efforts, like protecting saguaro cacti and building nest boxes, help these tiny hunters keep their desert home alive.

7. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl

This sparrow-sized owl (under 1,000 in the U.S./Canada) lives in tropical dry forests and desert scrub. Though widespread in Latin America, it’s rare in the U.S., found only in southern Arizona and Texas. These bold hunters chase lizards and insects by day, nesting in old woodpecker holes or cactus cavities.

Habitat loss is their biggest threat. Farms, cities, and invasive plants like buffelgrass destroy their homes. In Arizona, only about 20 remain due to development and groundwater pumping. Listed as threatened since 2023, efforts focus on protecting forests and cacti. Even tiny owls need big spaces to survive.

8. Flammulated Owl

The Flammulated Owl is a tiny, mysterious bird of western North America’s pine forests. With rust-colored streaks on its feathers and dark eyes, it blends perfectly into tree bark, making it hard to spot. Sadly, only around 11,000 remain, and their numbers keep dropping as forests shrink and pesticides threaten their food. Unlike most owls that hunt mice, this little hunter lives almost entirely on insects like moths and beetles. Conservation groups list it as a species to watch, urging protection of its woodland homes. By safeguarding these forests, we can help this elusive owl sing its soft, hooting songs for years to come.

9. Great Gray Owl

The Great Gray Owl is a gentle giant of North America’s boreal forests, standing tall with a wingspan stretching up to five feet—the largest of any owl in the United States. Despite its impressive size, this owl weighs barely more than a housecat, its fluffy feathers hiding a slender frame. Silent and ghostly, it glides through evergreen woods, listening for voles hidden beneath snow with unmatched precision. Though an estimated 95,000 live across the U.S. and Canada, their numbers remain mysterious as they roam vast, remote forests. Deforestation threatens their homes, as these owls rely on mature trees for nesting and open meadows for hunting. Conservation efforts aim to protect these shadowy guardians of the north, ensuring their haunting hoots continue to echo through the wild.

10. Great Horned Owl

This fierce guardian of North America’s forests and fields is both a master hunter and a vulnerable survivor. With 3.9 million in the U.S. and Canada, their numbers are slowly declining. Adaptable and stealthy, they thrive everywhere from deep woods to open farms, hunting creatures as small as mice and as bold as Ospreys or even other owls. But pesticides silently poison their prey, and illegal hunting still threatens these iconic birds. Despite their power, Great Horned Owls remind us that even top predators need protection. Safeguarding their habitats ensures their haunting hoots continue to echo through the wild.

11. Long-eared Owl

With whisper-soft wings and tall, feathery “ears,” the Long-eared Owl glides silently through North America’s forests. These slender hunters, numbering around 140,000 in the U.S. and Canada, have vanished by 91% since 1970—faster than any other owl. Their decline stems from vanishing woodlands, as logging and development erase the dense trees they need to roost and nest. Unlike many owls, they gather in groups, huddling in pine thickets by day and hunting mice by night. Their fringed flight feathers muffle noise, making them ghostly predators. Conservationists urge protecting forests to save these social owls before their soft hoots fade from the wild.

12. Northern Hawk Owl

This sleek owl, with sharp yellow eyes and long tail, thrives in northern forests. Unlike most owls, it hunts by day, swooping silently on mice and voles like a hawk. About 100,000-500,000 live across North America and Eurasia, but deforestation and wildfires threaten their homes. They nest in old woodpecker holes or broken trees, raising 5-13 fluffy chicks. Though listed as “Least Concern,” their numbers dip where forests shrink. Protecting mature trees and open hunting grounds helps these fierce hunters thrive. Spot one perched high, scanning snowfields—a wild guardian blending shadows and light.

13. Northern Pygmy-Owl

This tiny owl, no taller than a soda can, thrives in western North America’s forests. With 80,000 in the wild, it hunts boldly by day, snatching birds, mice, and beetles with sharp talons. Unlike most owls, it lacks silent flight but tricks predators with fake “eye spots” on its head. Nesting in old woodpecker holes, it faces threats from logging and wildfires that destroy its tree-cavity homes. Though labeled “Least Concern,” local declines worry scientists. Protecting forests ensures this fierce hunter—small but mighty—continues its too-too-too calls across sunlit woods.

14. Northern Saw-whet Owl

This tiny hunter, no bigger than a coffee mug, hides in North America’s forests with soft, streaked feathers and big yellow eyes. By day, it naps in dense trees; by night, it swoops silently for mice and voles, storing leftovers in tree cracks. Its whining call—like a saw sharpening—gives it its name. Though 2 million remain, their numbers dip as logging and pesticides shrink their homes. They nest in old woodpecker holes or human-made boxes, showing how we can help. Scientists track their secret migrations using gentle nets, learning to protect these pocket-sized owls. Saving forests ensures their eerie whistles keep echoing.

15. Short-eared Owl

This gentle owl, with whisper-soft wings and speckled brown feathers, hunts over open fields and marshes at dawn or dusk. Unlike most owls, it flies low like a moth, using keen hearing to snatch voles and mice. Once common across Canada and the U.S., its numbers have plunged by 65% since 1970, with only 31,000 left in Canada. Habitat loss from farms and cities erases its grassy nesting grounds, while pesticides poison its prey. Climate change worsens these threats, shrinking food supplies. Though ground nests leave eggs vulnerable, conservation efforts to protect grasslands offer hope. Safeguarding wild spaces ensures this “sky dancer” keeps gliding over meadows, a ghostly guardian of the open plains.

16. Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl, a majestic Arctic hunter with snowy-white feathers, faces an uncertain future. Once thought to number over 200,000, recent studies estimate only 14,000–28,000 breeding adults remain globally. These owls rely on lemmings for food, but climate change disrupts their prey’s habitat by melting snow into icy barriers and shrinking tundra nesting grounds. Winter rains and habitat loss push them south, where they face collisions, poisoning from rodenticides, and disease. Listed as Vulnerable, their decline signals broader Arctic ecosystem struggles. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their icy homes and reducing human threats, hoping to preserve their haunting beauty for future generations.

17. Spotted Owl

This mysterious owl, with dark eyes and soft spotted feathers, calls old-growth forests home across western North America. Once thriving, its numbers have plummeted—fewer than 100 remain in Canada, and U.S. populations face steep declines. Logging, wildfires, and invasive barred owls, which steal their nests and food, push them toward extinction. Spotted owls hunt mice, voles, and flying squirrels silently at night, relying on dense forests for shelter. Conservation efforts protect remaining habitats and test barred owl removal, but time is running out. Saving these owls means safeguarding ancient forests—a race to keep their haunting hoots alive.

18. Western Screech-Owl

This small, stealthy owl hides in western North America’s forests, deserts, and even suburbs. With speckled gray or brown feathers, it blends into tree bark, staying unseen by day. At night, it hunts insects, mice, and small birds using sharp talons and silent flight. Though adaptable, its numbers are dropping—only 350–500 remain in Canada—as logging and urban sprawl destroy old trees they need for nesting. Invasive Barred Owls also chase them away or attack. Conservation efforts focus on saving forests and building nest boxes. Protecting these owls means keeping their soft trills echoing in wild places.

19. Whiskered Screech-Owl

This small, secretive owl, with “whisker” feathers around its eyes, thrives in mountain forests from Arizona to Nicaragua. Gray or brown plumage helps it blend into trees. Active at night, it hunts insects, mice, and lizards from perches or mid-air. Though 200,000 exist globally, fewer than 5% live in the U.S., where habitat loss threatens their survival. They nest in old woodpecker holes, laying 2-4 eggs. Conservation efforts focus on protecting forests and building nest boxes. Known for Morse code-like hoots, these owls depend on wild spaces—guardians of the night needing our care to endure.

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