Missouri is home to owls that inhabit the state’s woodlands, farmlands, and urban parks. These nocturnal hunters possess specialized characteristics, including feathers for silent flight, large eyes for keen night vision, and exceptional hearing. Understanding the different species that reside or visit the area provides insight into Missouri’s varied ecosystems. Although rarely seen due to their nighttime activity, their presence is often announced by unique vocalizations after dark.
Common Year-Round Missouri Owls
The three most frequently encountered owls in Missouri are permanent residents found across the state throughout the year. These species are well-adapted to different environments, from dense forests to suburban neighborhoods. Recognizing their distinct features and calls aids in identification.
The Great Horned Owl is a large owl recognizable by its prominent, wide-set feather tufts, often mistaken for ears. It has mottled gray-brown plumage, a reddish-brown face, and a distinct white throat patch. Its call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots (“hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”), with the female’s voice being higher pitched than the male’s. Great Horned Owls are highly adaptable and found in semi-open habitats, including forests, city parks, and open countryside, where they perch on high snags to watch for prey.
The Barred Owl’s classic hooting call is often memorized by the mnemonic “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” This owl is round-headed and lacks ear tufts, featuring a face framed by dark brown eyes. Its plumage is mottled brown and white, characterized by vertical brown stripes on the belly and horizontal barring across the chest. Barred Owls prefer mature, moist forests, especially those near water sources like swamps and river bottoms.
The Eastern Screech Owl is the smallest of the common year-round residents, measuring eight to ten inches in length. This owl has prominent ear tufts and can be found in two distinct color morphs: a rusty, reddish-brown and a mottled gray. Despite its name, its primary call is a soft, descending, tremulous whinny that sounds similar to a miniature horse. They favor deciduous woodlands, suburban parks, and orchards, often roosting during the day in tree cavities or close to the trunk for camouflage.
Occasional and Seasonal Missouri Owls
Beyond the common year-round residents, several owl species are less common, seasonal visitors, or have specialized habitat requirements within Missouri. Their appearance often coincides with specific migratory patterns.
The Barn Owl is a rare permanent resident and a species of conservation concern in Missouri. This medium-sized owl is easily identified by its pale, white underparts and a distinct, white, heart-shaped facial disc, which earned it the nickname “monkey-faced owl.” Unlike most owls, the Barn Owl does not hoot, but instead emits a harsh, hissing scream or screech. They primarily inhabit open areas, farmlands, and old buildings, hunting rodents in open country.
The Short-eared Owl is an uncommon winter resident and migrant, typically seen between October and April. It is often active during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon, hunting low over open grasslands and prairies. It has heavily streaked, pale brown plumage and very short, difficult-to-see ear tufts. Its call is a bark-like or whine-like noise. Due to low numbers, it has a state imperilment ranking.
Missouri also hosts the Long-eared Owl and the Northern Saw-whet Owl, both winter visitors. The Long-eared Owl is a secretive species with tall, prominent ear tufts often held flat against its head, making it difficult to spot when it roosts in dense pine groves. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is the smallest and most strictly nocturnal visitor. This tiny owl has a round head without tufts and is named for its call: a monotonous series of tooting whistles that resembles the sound of a saw being sharpened on a whetstone.
Locating and Observing Owls Safely
Finding owls requires patience and an understanding of their habits and environments. The period around dusk and dawn, known as crepuscular hours, is often the most productive time for observation, as many species begin or end their hunting forays. Listening for the distinctive calls of Barred Owls in river bottoms or Great Horned Owls in open woodlands provides the easiest way to locate them.
For diurnal or crepuscular species like the Short-eared Owl, searching open fields and native prairies in the late afternoon can yield sightings. Owls often rely on specific roosting features, such as dense conifer stands for Long-eared Owls or tree cavities for Eastern Screech Owls, which narrows the search area. Using binoculars or a spotting scope is recommended for clear observation from a respectful distance.
Ethical viewing practices ensure the well-being of these birds. Maintain a significant distance, generally a minimum of 100 feet, to prevent disturbing the owl’s natural behavior. If an owl is actively looking at an observer, or if its behavior changes, the distance is insufficient.
The use of audio call playback to attract owls is discouraged, as it can disrupt their hunting, territorial defense, and breeding efforts. Observers should avoid using flash photography or bright lights after dark, as this can temporarily impair an owl’s specialized night vision. Respecting nesting sites and providing privacy ensures that human curiosity does not interfere with their survival.