Arizona, with its dramatic shifts in elevation and climate, from the Sonoran Desert floor to the high Ponderosa Pine forests, hosts a remarkable diversity of life. This array of biomes is a primary reason why Arizona is home to the highest number of owl species in the United States, with approximately 13 different species occurring regularly within its borders. These nocturnal predators have adapted distinct hunting behaviors and dietary preferences to thrive in their specific environments. The food sources for Arizona’s owls range from common rodents and rabbits to specialized desert invertebrates, reflecting the state’s unique ecological complexity.
Major Arizona Owl Species and Their Habitats
Arizona’s owl population includes a wide spectrum of sizes. The Great Horned Owl, a large and highly adaptable predator, is found across virtually all of Arizona’s habitats, from urban areas to deep canyons. Its broad distribution is supported by a generalist diet, making it one of the most commonly encountered species.
Medium-sized species, such as the Barn Owl and the Western Screech-Owl, also maintain a widespread presence throughout the state. Barn Owls are frequently associated with open fields and agricultural areas, where they hunt low over the ground. The Western Screech-Owl is a common resident of suburban parks, riparian corridors, and oak woodlands, often relying on tree cavities for nesting and roosting.
At the smaller end of the size scale are the highly specialized desert owls, including the Elf Owl and the Burrowing Owl. The Elf Owl, the world’s smallest owl, is primarily found in the Sonoran Desert, often nesting in abandoned woodpecker holes within giant Saguaro cacti. The Burrowing Owl, distinguished by its long legs, lives in open grasslands and agricultural fields, uniquely nesting in underground burrows created by mammals like prairie dogs or ground squirrels.
Primary Prey Categories Across Arizona
The majority of Arizona’s medium and large owl species rely on small to medium-sized mammals as the primary component of their diet. Rodents constitute the bulk of the biomass consumed by most owls, including species like the Barn Owl, which specializes in hunting rats and mice. Common prey includes native woodrats (Neotoma spp.), pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.), and various species of pocket mice.
Lagomorphs, such as cottontails and jackrabbits, represent a significant food source for the largest owls, especially the Great Horned Owl. The Great Horned Owl, with its powerful grip, is capable of taking prey much larger than other owls, including skunks, which its weak sense of smell allows it to tolerate.
Birds also feature in the diet, though less frequently than mammals, and are often targeted by specific owl species. Ground-feeding birds like doves and pigeons, as well as smaller songbirds, are regular prey items for larger owls. For instance, the Northern Pygmy-Owl, a more diurnal hunter, is known to actively pursue and capture small songbirds during the day.
Specialized Diets and Unique Desert Prey
Arizona’s unique ecology supports owls with highly specialized diets that extend beyond the typical mammalian prey. The smallest species, particularly the Elf Owl, are primarily insectivorous, subsisting on a diet of nocturnal invertebrates. These tiny raptors consume moths, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers, especially during the warmer summer months when insect populations peak.
Another specialized food source is arachnids, with scorpions and tarantulas being regularly consumed by smaller desert owls. The Elf Owl and the Whiskered Screech-Owl are known to feed on scorpions, centipedes, and large spiders. The Great Horned Owl is also an opportunistic feeder and will occasionally consume scorpions and other invertebrates.
Reptiles, including lizards and snakes, are an important component of the diet for several Arizona owl species, especially in the warm desert environments. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, for example, is known to favor lizards and large insects as prey. Larger owls are capable of capturing small snakes, including venomous species.
How Habitat Influences Hunting and Diet
The specific environment an owl inhabits dictates the availability of prey and therefore shapes its hunting strategy and diet composition. Owls in urban and suburban areas, like the Western Screech-Owl and Barn Owl, often adapt to hunting introduced species. Their diet may include non-native Norway rats and house mice, which thrive in human-altered landscapes. These owls benefit from the consistent, elevated prey densities associated with developed areas.
In the high-elevation Ponderosa Pine and mixed-conifer forests, owls like the Mexican Spotted Owl and Flammulated Owl target mammals adapted to arboreal life. The Mexican Spotted Owl, for instance, preys heavily on woodrats and voles found in the dense forest understory and rocky canyons. Forest-dwelling owls may also target tree-dwelling prey like squirrels and bats, which are less accessible in open desert habitats.
Riparian zones and areas near water sources introduce different prey items to the owl’s menu. Owls hunting along rivers and streams may opportunistically capture amphibians, such as frogs, or even fish, particularly during periods of high availability. The dense vegetation in these river corridors also supports higher populations of small birds and insects, offering a richer, more diverse foraging ground compared to the arid desert uplands.