Georgia’s diverse landscape, spanning the Appalachian Mountains, the Piedmont plateau, and the Atlantic coastline, provides a wide array of habitats that support multiple owl species. These nocturnal raptors are present year-round in many environments, though they are far more often heard than they are seen. The state’s rich mixture of dense forests, open fields, and urban green spaces allows for the residency of several distinct types of owls.
The Largest and Most Widespread Owls
Two of the most recognizable and widespread owl species in Georgia are the Great Horned Owl and the Barred Owl, both large raptors that are permanent residents. The Great Horned Owl is a formidable predator, easily identified by its prominent feathered ear tufts (plumicorns) and its imposing size, with a wingspan that can reach up to five feet. This highly adaptable owl thrives in nearly every habitat across the state, from deep forests and swamps to urban parks and suburban neighborhoods.
Its mottled white, brown, gray, and black coloration provides exceptional camouflage, allowing it to blend seamlessly with tree bark. It communicates through a deep, resonant series of hoots, often described as five or six rhythmic notes. These large birds are capable of preying on a wide range of animals, including other raptors.
The Barred Owl is only slightly smaller than its Great Horned counterpart, but it is easily distinguished by its lack of ear tufts and its dark, round eyes, which give it a gentle, expressive look. Its plumage features a pattern of brown and white bars, which are notably horizontal on the chest and transition to vertical streaks on the belly. This species shows a strong preference for old, dense deciduous forests, wooded swamps, and river bottoms where water is readily available.
The Barred Owl’s distinctive call is a rich, baritone hooting that sounds like the phrase, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”. The Barred Owl is occasionally active and vocal during the day, particularly on overcast afternoons. Though widespread, it tends to avoid the most open areas, sticking to the closed canopies that provide cover from its main rival, the more aggressive Great Horned Owl.
Small Owls of Suburban and Forested Areas
The Eastern Screech Owl is the most common owl species in Georgia, yet its small size and expert camouflage mean it is often overlooked. Measuring only between six and ten inches in length, this raptor is a frequent resident of wooded areas, suburban backyards, and orchards that offer natural tree cavities. Its preference for areas with mature trees makes it a familiar, though rarely seen, neighbor in populated regions.
This species exhibits two main color variations, or morphs: a reddish-brown (rufous) phase and a gray phase. In Georgia, the gray morph is the more prevalent coloration, helping the bird blend into the bark of hardwood trees. The Eastern Screech Owl’s vocalization is its most telling feature, consisting not of a hoot, but a soft, descending whinny or a mysterious, drawn-out trill.
Owls Requiring Specialized Habitats
While many owls prefer forests, other species in Georgia are habitat specialists, relying on specific, non-forested environments to thrive. The Barn Owl is a medium-sized species found throughout the state, but it requires open areas like agricultural fields, coastal marshes, and grasslands for hunting. This owl is instantly recognizable by its pale plumage and its unique, white, heart-shaped face, which acts as a sound funnel to locate prey in total darkness.
Barn Owls frequently utilize human-made structures for nesting and roosting, often inhabiting the cavities of old barns, silos, and church steeples, earning them their common name. Unlike the hooting owls, the Barn Owl produces a distinct, harsh hissing or screeching sound. Their reliance on open fields for hunting small rodents means they are rarely found in the dense, closed-canopy forests.
The Short-eared Owl is also a resident of open country, but it is primarily seen in Georgia as a winter visitor or transient species. These owls are found almost exclusively in large, treeless spaces, such as coastal dunes, expansive grasslands, and large open fields. A notable distinguishing feature is their tendency to hunt during the day or at dusk, making them one of the few owls in the state likely to be observed before nightfall. Their appearance is characterized by mottled brown and tawny plumage, small ear tufts, and rounded wings with dark tips, which create a moth-like flight pattern when they glide low over the terrain.