Ohio’s diverse landscapes, which range from dense, mature woodlands to expansive open fields and the Lake Erie shoreline, offer a variety of habitats that support several species of owls. These silent predators are a fascinating part of the state’s natural heritage, though their nocturnal habits often make them difficult to spot. This guide explores the different types of owls found in Ohio, separating the year-round residents from those who only visit seasonally.
The Permanent Residents
Three species are considered the most common year-round residents in Ohio: the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl, and the Eastern Screech Owl. These owls establish territories and breed within the state’s borders. They have adapted to a wide variety of habitats, including rural, suburban, and even some urban environments.
The Great Horned Owl is the largest and most powerful of Ohio’s resident owls. It appears thick-bodied with prominent ear tufts, which are actually tufts of feathers, not ears. These formidable predators can weigh between 2 and 5.5 pounds, have a wingspan reaching nearly five feet, and are found in every county across the state.
The Barred Owl is large, nearly matching the Great Horned Owl in physical size, but it is noticeably less bulky. A distinctive feature is its dark, almost black eyes, which contrast with the yellow eyes of most other Ohio owls. This species lacks ear tufts and is characterized by vertical brown streaks on its underparts. Barred Owls prefer mature forests, particularly those near water sources like wooded swamps and river corridors.
The Eastern Screech Owl is the smallest and most common resident owl, roughly the size of an American Robin, measuring 6 to 10 inches long. This tiny raptor exhibits two primary color forms, or morphs: a gray morph and a reddish-brown (rufous) morph. They inhabit a wide range of wooded areas, from dense forests to suburban parks, and are found statewide.
Seasonal Visitors and Rare Sightings
Other owl species appear in Ohio only temporarily, their presence often tied to winter migration patterns or unpredictable natural events. These visitors, which include the Short-eared Owl and the Long-eared Owl, are not typically seen during the breeding season.
The Short-eared Owl is primarily a winter visitor and migrant to Ohio, utilizing open habitats like grasslands, fields, and marshy areas. This medium-sized species is one of the few owls in the state frequently observed hunting during the day, particularly near dawn or dusk. They have a pale facial disk and yellow eyes, and are named for their very small, often invisible, ear tufts.
The Long-eared Owl is a secretive and uncommon winter resident, often arriving from its northern breeding grounds. This strictly nocturnal owl prefers to roost communally in dense cover, such as conifers, near open fields where they hunt. When disturbed, they can compress their bodies and raise their prominent ear tufts, allowing them to resemble a broken tree branch.
A rare visitor is the Snowy Owl, which typically resides in the Arctic tundra. Their occasional appearance in Ohio is the result of an “irruption,” a phenomenon where large numbers of young owls move south in search of food following a successful breeding season. These irruptions are unpredictable, but when they occur, the owls are most often spotted along the Lake Erie shoreline and in large, open agricultural fields.
Identifying Ohio’s Owls
Distinguishing between the various Ohio owl species relies on recognizing specific physical traits and interpreting their unique vocalizations.
The calls of the resident species are distinct and serve as a good starting point for identification. The Great Horned Owl emits a classic, deep, five to six-note hooting pattern, often transcribed as “Whooo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”. In contrast, the Barred Owl’s call is famously rendered as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” and can sometimes be heard during daylight hours. The Eastern Screech Owl does not truly screech but instead produces a quavering, descending trill, sometimes described as a horse’s whinny.
Physical features are most useful for daytime identification of roosting birds or the diurnal visitors. The presence or absence of ear tufts is a major clue; the Great Horned Owl has large, widely set tufts, while the Barred Owl has none. Eye color is another distinguishing trait, with the Barred Owl being one of only two Ohio species with dark eyes, while the Great Horned and Eastern Screech Owls have yellow eyes. The size difference between the owls is also significant, ranging from the small Eastern Screech Owl to the massive, four-pound Snowy Owl. For the seasonal visitors, their chosen habitat offers a strong hint, as Short-eared Owls are found in open fields and grasslands, while the more secretive Long-eared Owls are typically found tucked away in dense conifer groves.