Owls are present in San Francisco, contributing to the city’s diverse urban wildlife. These nocturnal birds adapt to urban environments, finding habitats in green spaces and natural areas. Their presence highlights the city’s ecological richness.
Owl Species in San Francisco
San Francisco hosts several owl species, each with distinct characteristics. The Great Horned Owl is a common and widespread resident, recognizable by its large size, prominent ear tufts, and deep “hoo-hoo” calls heard at dawn and dusk. These owls are formidable nocturnal hunters, preying on various small mammals and birds.
Barn Owls are also regularly observed, though in smaller numbers than Great Horned Owls. They possess a distinctive heart-shaped face and a light brown to golden plumage. Instead of hooting, Barn Owls produce a rasping screech and are nocturnal, relying on acute hearing to hunt small rodents.
The Western Screech-Owl is a smaller species, typically grey or brown with subtle feather tufts and bright yellow eyes. Despite its name, its call is a series of high-pitched toots.
Burrowing Owls are primarily active during the day. These small, long-legged owls have sandy-colored, spotted feathers and bright yellow eyes, preferring open grasslands where they inhabit burrows. While a year-round population exists in the Bay Area, some Burrowing Owls are winter migrants, arriving from northern breeding grounds.
Where to Find Them
Owls in San Francisco inhabit various green spaces, parks, and coastal areas. Great Horned Owls are often seen in the Presidio (e.g., Tennessee Hollow, Mountain Lake Park) and Golden Gate Park (e.g., near the bison paddock, Mallard Lake). Other potential locations for spotting these adaptable birds include Fort Mason, Lands End, Twin Peaks, and McLaren Park.
Burrowing Owls, particularly wintering populations, can be found along the East Bay shoreline in parks such as Cesar Chavez Park, McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, and the Tom Bates Sports Complex. Observing owls requires patience and respectful practices. The best times for viewing are dusk and dawn for nocturnal owls, or daylight hours for diurnal species like the Burrowing Owl.
Maintain a respectful distance, typically around 100 yards, to avoid disturbance. Binoculars or a spotting scope enhance viewing without encroaching. Avoid flash photography, especially after dark, and minimize noise to prevent startling birds. If an owl appears agitated or stares, you are too close and should back away.
Living Alongside Urban Owls
Owls in San Francisco navigate an urban environment with challenges and opportunities. City landscapes offer a consistent food supply, particularly rodents. However, urbanization also leads to habitat fragmentation, light pollution, and increased noise, which can impact owl behavior and hunting success.
A threat to urban owl populations is the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Owls, as predators, can suffer secondary poisoning when they consume rodents that have ingested these poisons, leading to internal bleeding and often death. California has implemented laws to limit the use of certain anticoagulant rodenticides in wildlife areas to mitigate this risk.
Residents can support local owl populations by avoiding rodenticides in and around their properties. Consider alternative pest control methods. Maintaining natural backyard habitats with native plants and undisturbed spaces provides valuable foraging and roosting areas for owls and their prey. Respecting wildlife by keeping a distance and never attempting to feed owls helps ensure their adaptation and survival within San Francisco’s urban ecosystem.