What owls are most common in Georgia?

Owls are mysterious birds of prey that captivate the imagination. With over 250 species found worldwide, owls occupy a wide range of habitats from deserts to forests to urban areas. Georgia’s diverse landscape provides homes for several different owl species. Understanding which owls are most frequently seen in the state can help birdwatchers know what to watch and listen for while exploring Georgia’s outdoors.

The Eastern Screech Owl

The Eastern Screech Owl is one of the most common owls found in Georgia. As their name suggests, these owls are known for their eerie, shivering calls that pierce the night air. Eastern Screech Owls are small, standing only about 7-10 inches tall. They have prominent ear tufts, intricately patterned plumage in shades of grays and browns, and vivid yellow eyes.

Eastern Screech Owls thrive in suburban and urban areas across Georgia. They readily nest in backyard woodlots, parks, and even tree cavities on college campuses. Being well-adapted to living near humans, they hunt small rodents attracted to gardens, bird feeders, and trash receptacles. While fairly common, Eastern Screech Owls can be tricky to spot due to their excellent camouflage. concentrates. The best way to find them is to listen for their calls at dawn and dusk.

Screech Owl Facts

• Length: 6.3-9.8 inches
• Wingspan: 18-24 inches
• Weight: 4-8 ounces
• Lifespan: Up to 13 years in captivity, less in the wild
• Habitat: woodlands, parks, suburban areas
• Diet: Insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians
• Distinctive Calls: A shivering, mournful whinny; A rapid, emphatic series of short notes

The Barred Owl

With its distinctive “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” caterwauling call, the Barred Owl is another very common owl throughout Georgia. These chunky, round-headed owls reach lengths of 17-24 inches and have wingspans of up to 52 inches. They have brown eyes and lack ear tufts. The Barred Owl’s name comes from the horizontal brown and white barring pattern on its chest and vertical barring on its neck and upper breast.

Found in swamps, river floodplains, and dense deciduous woodlands, Barred Owls hunt from a perch then swoop down to grab prey with their sharp talons. They mainly eat small mammals like mice, voles, and rabbits but also take birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Barred Owls are often heard calling to each other just before dusk and before dawn. They are highly territorial and pairs may stay together for life.

Barred Owl Facts

• Length: 17-24 inches
• Wingspan: 38-49 inches
• Weight: 1.5-2.5 pounds
• Lifespan: Up to 10 years in the wild, up to 23 in captivity
• Habitat: Swamps, river bottoms, and mature forests
• Diet: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
• Distinctive Calls: Rhythmic “Who-cooks-for-you” hooting

The Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl is Georgia’s largest and most powerful owl. These imposing raptors have huge, staring yellow eyes, prominent ear tufts, and massive talons. They measure 18-25 inches tall with wingspans around 40-60 inches wide. The Great Horned Owl’s underparts are barred while its upperparts and throat are plain grayish-brown.

As opportunistic hunters, Great Horned Owls eat just about anything they can catch, including rabbits, skunks, geese, herons, and sometimes house cats. They are found in woods across Georgia but readily adapt to living in urban areas. Their deep hooting calls, sounding like “ Hoo h’HOO-hoo-hoo hoo,” can be heard year-round throughout their territory.

Great Horned Owl Facts

• Length: 18-25 inches
• Wingspan: 40-60 inches
• Weight: 3-4 pounds
• Lifespan: Up to 13 years in the wild, up to 30 in captivity
• Habitat: forests, swamps, parks, suburban areas
• Diet: Rabbits, hares, squirrels, skunks, ducks, and more
• Distinctive calls: A deep 5-note hooting – ” Hoo h’HOO-hoo-hoo hoo”

The Barn Owl

The Barn Owl is a distinctive, instantly recognizable owl common across Georgia. With its white heart-shaped face, dark eyes, buff-colored back, and wings, the Barn Owl looks like no other. These pale nocturnal hunters reach lengths of 15-20 inches with wingspans of up to 44 inches.

As their name implies, Barn Owls often roost and nest in barns, abandoned buildings, and other structures. They can frequently be found in open habitats like meadows, marshes, and agricultural areas hunting for voles, mice, shrews, and other small prey. The Barn Owl is known for its eerie, raspy shrieking and hissing vocalizations.

Barn Owl Facts

• Length: 15-20 inches
• Wingspan: 33-39 inches
• Weight: 1-2 pounds
• Lifespan: Up to 15 years in the wild, up to 25 in captivity
• Habitat: Open country, fields, grasslands
• Diet: Voles, mice, rats, shrews, small birds
• Distinctive Calls: Hissing, raspy shrieks

The Short-Eared Owl

The Short-Eared Owl is a medium-sized owl living in open habitats across Georgia. They have broad wings and fly low over fields hunting by day or night. These owls are 13-17 inches long with 35-44 inch wingspans. True to their name, Short-Eared Owls have barely noticeable ear tufts.

Short-Eared Owls feast mainly on mice, voles, and other small mammals. They also eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects. Males perform elaborate display flights high in the air over their breeding territories. The owl’s snooring “woo-woo-woo” call can reveal its presence.

Short-Eared Owl Facts

• Length: 13-17 inches
• Wingspan: 35-44 inches
• Weight: 7.8-16.5 oz
• Lifespan: Up to 12 years
• Habitat: Grasslands, marshes, agricultural areas
• Diet: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects
• Distinctive Calls: A dog-like barking, cat-like mewing

Other Georgia Owls

While the previously discussed owls are commonly seen year-round residents, there are a few other owl species that either live in Georgia seasonally or as uncommon permanent residents. These include:

• Northern Saw-whet Owl – A tiny, secretive owl of dense pine or mixed forests. They are uncommon permanent residents.
• Long-eared Owl – Found in woodlands and thickets. They are uncommon winter residents and migrants.
• Short-eared Owl – Occurs as a winter resident and migrant in open habitats statewide.

Best Places to See Owls in Georgia

Though owls may turn up in wooded suburban areas, visiting wildlife refuges and nature reserves are often the best way to increase your chances of sighting different owl species. Here are some top places to look for owls in Georgia:

• Oconee National Forest – Nestled into the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Oconee National Forest provides excellent habitat for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Screech Owls.
• Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge – This vast swamp is home to Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, Screech Owls, and Short-eared Owls hunting over marshes and pine islands.
• Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge – Excellent open habitat for Short-eared Owls and Barn Owls that hunt the saltwater marshes and grasslands.
• Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Offers prime habitat for Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls in its cypress-tupelo swamp forests.
• Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge – Owls like Barn Owls, Barred Owls, and Screech Owls live in the forests and wetlands in the barrier island habitat here.

Tips for Spotting Owls

Owls can be challenging birds to observe due to their nocturnal habits and camouflage plumage. Here are some tips to increase your chances of finding owls:

• Get out owling near dawn and dusk when owls are most active.
• Listen carefully for various owl hoots and calls.
• Scan treetops and utility poles for silhouette shapes.
• Check cavities in trees or nest boxes.
• Use a flashlight or spotlight to look for eye-shine reflecting back.
• Visit known owl nesting sites repeatedly to get lucky.
• Attract mice and voles to your yard or a wildlife area to draw in owls.
• Talk to local birders about recent owl sightings.
• Try using owl calls to elicit responses.

Conclusion

Georgia is home to a diversity of owl species that enrich the state’s forests, swamps, and open habitats. The Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Barn Owl are fairly common year-round residents occurring in appropriate habitat across the state. Get out during dawn and dusk hours, listen for hoots and screeches, and keep an eye on tree cavities and tops during your explorations. With some luck and persistence, you’ll be rewarded with sightings of these fascinating nocturnal raptors.