North Carolina’s diverse landscape, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Coastal Plain, provides a home for several species of owls. These nocturnal birds of prey play a role in the state’s ecosystems, primarily as hunters of small mammals. North Carolina hosts a varied population of owls, including permanent residents and seasonal visitors.
Common Resident Owls of North Carolina
The three most frequently encountered owls in North Carolina are the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl, and the Eastern Screech Owl. The Great Horned Owl is the largest resident, measuring 18 to 25 inches long with a wingspan reaching nearly four feet. It is characterized by prominent feathered tufts, often called “horns,” and bright yellow eyes. This predator has a varied diet, consuming insects, rodents, rabbits, skunks, and even other raptors.
The Barred Owl is mid-sized, lacking feathered ear tufts but featuring a large, round head and dark, brownish-black eyes. Its plumage is mottled grayish-brown, with horizontal bars on the throat and vertical streaks on the belly. Barred Owls are opportunistic hunters whose diet includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and crayfish, often hunting near water sources.
The smallest resident is the Eastern Screech Owl, typically 6 to 10 inches long. It possesses noticeable ear-like feather tufts and yellow eyes. This species exhibits color morphs, appearing in either a gray or a reddish-brown (rufous) phase. Eastern Screech Owls prey on insects, small birds, mice, and voles, often employing a “perch and pounce” hunting strategy.
Identifying Owls by Sound and Appearance
Since visual sightings are uncommon due to nocturnal habits, vocalizations are a reliable method of identification. The Barred Owl produces a rhythmic hooting pattern that sounds like, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” This loud call is common in mature, wooded areas.
The Great Horned Owl’s call is a deep, muffled series of hoots, often described as “hoo-hoo-hoo hoo-hoo.” This resonant sound carries well over long distances, particularly during late winter when the owls are establishing territories. The Eastern Screech Owl does not screech; its call is a descending, tremulous whinny or a monotonic trill.
Visual identification relies on physical markers like head shape and feather tufts. Both the Great Horned Owl and the Eastern Screech Owl have prominent ear tufts. The Barred Owl is easily distinguished by its round head and dark eyes, lacking tufts. Observing the color morphs (gray or rufous) is a specific identification marker for the Eastern Screech Owl.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
Owl distribution is closely tied to North Carolina’s geographical regions: the Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. The Great Horned Owl is the most adaptable and widespread resident, found in all 100 counties. It thrives in diverse habitats, from dense woodlands to urban and suburban areas.
Barred Owls prefer wetter, low-lying areas, such as swamps, riverine forests, and bottomlands. Their concentration is highest in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, where moist, mature hardwood forests are abundant. They are less common in the mountains, favoring areas close to waterways.
The Eastern Screech Owl is also widespread, preferring wooded environments, including mixed pine-hardwood forests, suburban parks, and orchards. The smaller Screech Owl utilizes natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes for nesting. They generally avoid areas where the larger Great Horned Owls are dominant, as the larger owls prey on them.
Seasonal and Rare Visitors
North Carolina hosts less common owls, including seasonal visitors and those with declining populations. The Barn Owl is a year-round resident, but its population has declined due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices. This pale owl, recognizable by its heart-shaped face, prefers open country, farmlands, and marshes for hunting.
Two species are noted as winter visitors: the Short-eared Owl and the Northern Saw-whet Owl. The Short-eared Owl is migratory, traveling from northern breeding grounds to winter in the state. It is a diurnal hunter, often seen hunting low over open fields and coastal marshes during daylight hours.
The tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl is secretive, sometimes residing in high Appalachian spruce-fir forests, but more often encountered as a winter migrant. It is easily camouflaged, preferring dense coniferous or mixed hardwood forests.