Wisconsin is home to a diverse population of owls, ranging from year-round residents to seasonal winter visitors. These nocturnal raptors are secretive, making sightings rewarding for nature enthusiasts. Understanding the species and interpreting their calls increases the chance of a successful encounter. Wisconsin’s varied landscapes, from deep forests to open grasslands, support these species, each with unique identification features and preferred hunting grounds.
Wisconsin’s Most Commonly Encountered Owls
The Great Horned Owl is widespread and recognizable throughout the state year-round. This large raptor is identified by its prominent feather tufts (often mistakenly called “ears”) and its mottled gray-brown plumage with a distinct white throat patch. Its call is a deep, stuttering series of four or five hoots, described as the classic sound of North American woodlands. These adaptable owls inhabit nearly every type of habitat, from dense forests to urban parks.
Another common resident is the Barred Owl, distinguished by its large, round head, dark eyes, and lack of ear tufts. Its name comes from the horizontal barring on its chest and vertical streaking on its belly. It prefers deciduous and coniferous trees, often near water sources. The Barred Owl’s call is famously recognized as sounding like the phrase, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
The Eastern Screech Owl is a smaller, robin-sized species that can be either a gray or a reddish-brown morph, with small ear tufts. It is a common resident in mixed woodlands, suburban backyards, and city parks, often nesting in tree cavities. Despite its name, this owl does not screech, but instead produces a soft, descending whinny that sounds like a quavering horse, along with a monotonic trill.
Identifying Wisconsin’s Rare and Winter Visitors
Several species arrive seasonally or are difficult to find, presenting a unique challenge for birders. The Snowy Owl is a sought-after winter visitor, migrating south from the Arctic tundra between November and March. Unmistakable due to their large size, striking white plumage, and yellow eyes, they are often found in open areas like farm fields, lakeshores, and airports that mimic their treeless breeding grounds. Large numbers appearing is known as an irruption, often linked to fluctuations in northern prey populations.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl, Wisconsin’s smallest species, is a secretive resident most often detected during fall and winter migration. This tiny owl has a large, round head without ear tufts, a white “V” shape between its bright yellow eyes, and prefers dense coniferous trees for daytime roosting. Its call is a monotonous series of tooting whistles, supposedly resembling the sound of a saw being sharpened on a whetstone, which is the source of its name.
The Long-eared Owl and the Short-eared Owl are less common species, both listed as special concern in the state. The Long-eared Owl has long, prominent ear tufts and a thin body, typically roosting communally in dense groves during the winter. The Short-eared Owl is a bird of open country, frequenting large grasslands and marshes, and is one of the more diurnal species, often seen hunting low over fields at dawn or dusk.
Locating Owls: Habitat and Seasonal Patterns
Locating owls successfully depends on understanding their specific habitat needs and seasonal behaviors within Wisconsin’s diverse landscape. Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls are often found in areas where woods meet open spaces, such as forest edges or wooded suburban neighborhoods. Look for them around old growth trees with suitable nesting cavities, or dense stands of pine trees where they may roost.
Barred Owls are strongly associated with mature deciduous and mixed forests, especially those near water features like rivers and swamps, as their diet includes frogs and fish. Many owls, especially Great Horned and Barred Owls, are most vocal during late winter and early spring (February and March) when establishing territories and courting. This is the best time to listen for their distinctive calls at dusk and dawn.
To find the rare grassland species, like the Short-eared Owl, focus on large, open tracts of unmanaged fields, prairies, and marshlands, particularly in the southern half of the state where they may overwinter. A reliable sign of an owl’s presence is the accumulation of owl pellets beneath a favored roosting branch or tree. These pellets contain the indigestible bones and fur of their prey and indicate an active hunting territory.
Practical Tips for Ethical Owl Spotting
Effective owl spotting requires patience and the right equipment to ensure a respectful distance is maintained. Binoculars or a spotting scope are recommended for viewing, allowing clear observation without encroaching on the bird’s space. Quiet, slow movements and wearing muted colors are helpful in preventing an owl from being startled or flushed from its roost.
Listening is often more productive than looking for nocturnal species, making call identification important. The use of recorded owl calls (playback) should be avoided, as it causes significant stress by leading birds to believe a rival or predator is nearby. Repeated use of playback can interfere with their hunting, resting, or breeding activities.
If an owl is located, observe its behavior for signs of stress, such as elongating its body, rapidly blinking, or bobbing its head. If the bird displays these behaviors, immediately increase your distance. Maintaining the owl’s well-being means never shining bright lights directly at them at night or approaching so closely that they are forced to fly away.