Florida’s diverse ecosystems provide suitable habitats for various owl species. These nocturnal, and sometimes diurnal, birds of prey are part of the state’s wildlife. Understanding Florida’s owls involves recognizing their distinct characteristics and preferred environments.
Common Residents
The Great Horned Owl is common across Florida. These large owls, 18 to 25 inches tall, have prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes, and mottled gray-brown plumage with a reddish-brown face and white throat patch. Their deep, resonant “hoo-hoo-hoos” are distinctive. Great Horned Owls are predators with a diverse diet, including rodents, birds, and skunks. They thrive in wooded areas, parks, and rural settings.
The Barred Owl is another prevalent resident, identified by its large, round head, lack of ear tufts, and dark eyes. Its mottled brown and white feathers have horizontal bars on the chest and vertical streaks on the belly. Its distinctive vocalization, sounding like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”, is familiar in Florida’s mature deciduous and mixed forests, particularly near water. These owls primarily hunt small mammals, but their diet also includes birds, frogs, and crayfish.
The Eastern Screech-Owl, a smaller owl 6 to 10 inches long, is commonly found in Florida. It has two color morphs, gray and reddish-brown, providing camouflage against tree bark. Despite their name, these owls do not screech; instead, they produce soft, tremulous trills and whinny-like calls. They inhabit wooded areas, suburban neighborhoods, and parks, often nesting in tree cavities. Their varied diet consists of large insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and earthworms.
The Burrowing Owl, a small, long-legged owl 7 to 11 inches tall, is also found in Florida. Unlike most owls, they lack ear tufts and spend much time on the ground, their sandy brown plumage providing camouflage. They have large yellow eyes and a white chin. Often active during the day, these owls are found in open habitats like grasslands, prairies, golf courses, and airports, where they primarily feed on insects and small rodents, also consuming small lizards, snakes, and amphibians. Florida’s Burrowing Owls dig their own burrows for nesting, a behavior uncommon among other owl species.
Seasonal Visitors and Rare Sightings
Florida occasionally hosts migratory visitors or rare vagrants beyond common resident species. The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl that visits Florida during winter. It has a rounded head with small, often not obvious, ear tufts; its plumage is mottled brown with dark streaks on the breast. Typically seen in open fields, grasslands, and marshes, these owls often hunt during dawn, dusk, or daylight hours with a floppy, bat-like flight. Their diet primarily consists of rodents.
The Long-eared Owl is another rare vagrant in Florida. These lanky owls have prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes. They are secretive and nocturnal, typically roosting in dense foliage and hunting over grasslands. They vocalize with low hoots, squeals, and barks.
Even rarer sightings in Florida include the Northern Saw-whet Owl and the Snowy Owl. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a tiny owl with a large, round head, brown feathers speckled with white dots, yellow eyes, and a distinctive white Y-mark. These owls are rare winter visitors, typically found in dense coniferous or mixed woodlands in northern Florida. The Snowy Owl, with its white plumage, is a rare vagrant, occasionally venturing as far south as Florida during irruptive years. Primarily an Arctic tundra bird, its presence in Florida is unusual.
Spotting and Identifying Florida Owls
Observing owls requires patience and understanding of their habits. Most owl species are primarily nocturnal, making dawn and dusk ideal times for potential sightings. Some, like the Burrowing Owl, are also active during the day. To increase spotting chances, focus on specific habitats: dense forests for Barred Owls, open fields for Short-eared Owls, or suburban parks for Eastern Screech-Owls.
Listening for distinctive calls is often the first identification step, as many owls are more easily heard than seen. Familiarize yourself with unique hoots, trills, and whinnies of local species. When searching visually, look carefully, as owls possess camouflage that allows them to blend into their surroundings. Signs like owl pellets (regurgitated masses of indigestible prey remains) or whitewash (droppings) on the ground beneath trees can indicate a nearby roosting site.
Ethical viewing practices avoid disturbing these birds. Maintain a safe distance, using binoculars or a telephoto lens for closer observation. Approaching too closely can cause stress to the owl. Keeping quiet and avoiding sudden movements is also important. Do not feed owls or use audio playback of calls, as this can disrupt natural behaviors and habituate them to humans.
Conservation Efforts
Owl populations in Florida face various threats, including habitat loss as natural areas are developed. Fragmentation of forests and grasslands directly impacts spaces for owls to hunt, nest, and raise young. Another threat is secondary poisoning from rodenticides. When owls consume poisoned rodents, toxins accumulate, leading to illness or death. This issue has been linked to numerous owl deaths in Florida, including Great Horned and Barred Owls.
Vehicle collisions also pose a risk, particularly for owls hunting in open areas near roads. Individuals can contribute by avoiding rodenticides around homes and properties. Consider alternative rodent control methods that do not harm wildlife. Supporting local wildlife rehabilitation centers and conservation organizations also protects these birds. Creating and preserving natural habitats, even in backyards, by planting native trees and reducing pesticide use, helps ensure a healthy environment for Florida’s owls.