Oregon’s varied landscapes, from the dense forests of the Coast Range to the arid high desert, provide habitat for a diverse array of owl species. The state supports some of the largest and most powerful North American owls alongside some of the smallest and most elusive species. Understanding which owls inhabit Oregon involves examining their physical traits, unique vocalizations, and the specific ecological niches they occupy. This guide details the characteristics of the species that call Oregon home and where they are most likely to be encountered.
Oregon’s Large and Recognizable Owls
The most commonly encountered owl in Oregon is the Great Horned Owl, a large, stocky, and powerful predator found throughout the state in almost any semi-open habitat below the timberline. This owl is instantly recognizable by its large yellow eyes and the distinctive feather tufts, which are often mistakenly called “ears,” on its head. Its plumage shows regional variation, appearing darker brown in western Oregon and shifting to a paler grayish-brown in the southeastern parts of the state.
Another prominent species is the Barred Owl, which has significantly expanded its range from the eastern United States, first being reported in Oregon in the early 1970s. Unlike the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl has dark, soulful eyes and a round head without ear tufts. Its body is covered in grayish-brown and white feathers, distinguished by horizontal barring on the upper breast and vertical streaks on the lower abdomen. This species is now a permanent resident in forested areas across much of the state, including the Coast Range and the Cascades.
The Great Gray Owl is the tallest owl in Oregon, though its body mass is less than that of the Great Horned Owl due to its thick, insulating plumage. This magnificent bird lacks ear tufts and is characterized by a massive, round facial disc with concentric rings that frame its piercing yellow eyes. It is an uncommon to rare inhabitant, requiring a mosaic of old-growth forests for nesting and adjacent open clearings for hunting small mammals like voles.
Oregon’s Small and Less Common Owls
Oregon is also home to several smaller, more secretive owls that are primarily detected through their calls rather than by sight. The Western Screech-Owl is a small, year-round resident of lower-elevation woodlands and suburban areas, typically found below 3,000 feet in western Oregon. It possesses yellow eyes and small, wide-set feather tufts, and its streaked plumage provides excellent camouflage against tree bark, making it difficult to spot during its daytime roosts.
The Northern Pygmy-Owl is a tiny but aggressive predator, roughly the size of a sparrow, that is notable for being primarily diurnal, hunting during the day as well as at dawn and dusk. This species has striking yellow eyes and a long tail, and its most unique feature is the presence of two black spots on the back of its head that resemble false eyes, thought to help deter predators. It is common throughout forested areas, including the Coast Range and the Cascades.
One of the smallest North American owls is the Flammulated Owl, a neotropical migrant that is unique among Pacific Northwest owls for preying almost exclusively on insects. This diminutive owl has dark eyes and reddish-brown plumage with small ear tufts that are often hard to see. It breeds in mid-elevation coniferous forests, favoring stands of large-diameter ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on the eastern slope of the Cascades and in the Blue and Wallowa mountains.
Field Marks and Vocalizations for Identification
Identifying Oregon’s owls relies on a combination of physical cues, known as field marks, and their distinct vocalizations. Eye color is a primary field mark, separating species with bright yellow eyes (Great Horned, Great Gray, Northern Pygmy) from those with dark eyes (Barred and Flammulated). The presence or absence of feather tufts is another diagnostic feature.
Vocalizations are perhaps the most reliable method for nocturnal species, as each owl has a signature call. The Great Horned Owl produces a deep, slow series of hoots, typically a five or six-note pattern. In contrast, the Barred Owl is famous for its distinct, barking call that sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”. Unlike the deep hoots of the larger owls, the tiny Northern Pygmy-Owl emits a high-pitched, evenly spaced series of whistles or toots. The Flammulated Owl’s call is a soft, low-pitched hoot, which can be ventriloquial, making the bird sound much larger and further away than it is.
Distribution Across Oregon’s Major Regions
Oregon’s geography creates distinct ecological zones that dictate the distribution of its owl species. The Coast Range and the western side of the Cascade Mountains, characterized by wet, mature conifer forests, are the primary range for the Barred Owl. These moist, dense forests also support year-round populations of the Western Screech-Owl in lower elevations.
Moving eastward, the high-elevation forests of the Cascade Mountains and the Blue and Wallowa mountains are where species with more specific habitat requirements are found. The Great Gray Owl is an uncommon resident of these montane forests, favoring areas above 3,000 feet that contain a mix of old growth and open meadows. The Flammulated Owl also breeds in these eastern mountain ranges, preferring mid-elevation ponderosa pine forests.
The open country and agricultural areas across the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon are home to the Barn Owl, which avoids only dense forests or very high altitudes. These open habitats, particularly those with abundant voles, also support the adaptable Great Horned Owl.