Owls are an abundant and diverse group of raptors found across Oklahoma. This thriving population is due to the state’s varied geography, which includes dense eastern forests, open central prairies, and the semi-arid western panhandle. These distinct ecological regions support at least four common, year-round resident owl species, along with several rare or seasonal visitors. Understanding which owls live here can enhance one’s appreciation of Oklahoma’s nocturnal wildlife.
Common Year-Round Owl Species
The Great Horned Owl is the largest and most widely distributed resident owl in the state, recognizable by its prominent ear tufts and imposing yellow eyes. This powerful predator can weigh up to four pounds and exhibits one of the most diverse diets of any North American raptor. It feeds on everything from small rodents to skunks and other birds, using its impressive talons to capture and subdue large prey.
The Barred Owl, slightly smaller than the Great Horned Owl, is distinguished by its dark brown eyes and a round head lacking ear tufts. Its plumage is a warm brown with vertical streaking on the belly and horizontal barring across the chest and back, which gives the species its name. Barred Owls are closely tied to water and moist environments, preying on small mammals, birds, amphibians, and even crayfish in their preferred forests.
The Eastern Screech-Owl is one of Oklahoma’s smallest owls. This species is unique for having two distinct color morphs—a reddish-brown phase and a gray phase—which helps them camouflage against different types of tree bark. These fierce hunters are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on a wide variety of insects, mammals, and small reptiles.
The Barn Owl, with its distinctive white, heart-shaped face and pale underparts, is an effective rodent control agent across agricultural areas. It is one of the most widespread land birds globally, and in Oklahoma, it often nests in man-made structures like barns or silos, as well as in natural tree hollows. Its keen hearing, aided by its facial disc, allows it to pinpoint mice and voles in complete darkness, forming the majority of its diet.
Habitat Preferences and Geographic Range
Oklahoma’s distinct ecological zones determine the distribution of these common owl species. The Barred Owl is primarily an eastern Oklahoma resident, favoring the closed-canopy, deciduous forests of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain regions. This preference for mature, bottomland hardwood forests limits their range as the landscape transitions into the drier central and western parts of the state.
In stark contrast, the Burrowing Owl is a specialist of the western shortgrass prairie, resident during the warmer months. These diminutive owls live closely with prairie dog colonies, utilizing abandoned burrows for nesting and shelter. They are most common in the Panhandle counties like Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver.
The Great Horned Owl is a model of adaptability, thriving in nearly every part of Oklahoma, from urban parks to desert edges and mountain ranges. The Eastern Screech-Owl is similarly widespread, found in wooded areas across the state, and is common in suburban neighborhoods and city parks where mature trees offer nesting cavities. The Barn Owl is also widespread but is most abundant in the open country of the northwest and southwest, where ample grassland provides hunting grounds and old buildings offer nesting sites.
Identifying Owls by Vocalization and Appearance
One of the most reliable ways to identify an owl is through its unique call, especially since many species are difficult to spot at night. The Great Horned Owl produces the classic, deep, rhythmic hoot, often transcribed as “hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo.” The Barred Owl is famous for its distinctive, eight-syllable hoot that sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
The Eastern Screech-Owl does not actually screech but emits two primary vocalizations. These include a quavering, descending trill that sounds like a horse’s whinny and a monotonic, even-pitched trill, often called a tremolo. The Barn Owl is another non-hooter, instead producing a harsh, drawn-out screech or a loud, raspy hiss when disturbed.
Visually, the Barred Owl is the only large, common resident with dark eyes, while the Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl both have bright yellow eyes. The Great Horned Owl’s prominent feather tufts instantly set it apart from the round-headed Barred and Barn Owls. The Barn Owl is easily identified by its pale coloration and its unmistakable heart-shaped facial disc. The Eastern Screech-Owl’s small size and ear tufts are the best daytime clues if it is flushed from a roosting cavity.
Seasonal and Rare Owl Visitors
Oklahoma serves as a wintering ground or occasional stopover for species that breed farther north. The Short-eared Owl is a regular winter visitor, arriving to hunt in open fields, marshes, and grasslands. Unlike most owls, this mid-sized bird is often active during the day, especially at dawn and dusk, flying low over the ground with a buoyant wingbeat. It is identifiable in flight by its long, pointed wings and a dark patch visible near the “wrist” of the wing.
Another rare visitor is the Snowy Owl, which only appears in Oklahoma during irruption years. These sporadic southward movements occur when the owl’s primary Arctic prey, such as lemmings, experiences a population crash, forcing the young owls to seek food farther south. Sightings are highly unpredictable, but they are typically seen in open, treeless areas that mimic the Arctic tundra, such as large lake shores or airports.
The Long-eared Owl is another migratory species that winters in the state. It is often found roosting communally in dense conifer stands or thickets. These seasonal visitors provide Oklahoma birdwatchers with the chance to observe species not typically encountered in the Southern Plains.