Florida is home to several resident owl species that occupy diverse ecosystems. These nocturnal raptors maintain a presence across the entire state, from northern forests to southern prairies, with each species exhibiting specialized adaptations to its preferred environment. Identifying Florida’s owls often involves recognizing distinct physical traits, specialized habitat use, and unique vocalizations heard during the evening hours.
Florida’s Large and Widespread Forest Owls
Florida hosts two of North America’s largest owls, the Barred Owl and the Great Horned Owl, both year-round residents. The Barred Owl is associated with dense, wet forests, particularly swamps and heavily wooded river bottoms. Its plumage is mottled brown and white, featuring horizontal bars across its chest and vertical streaks on its belly. It is easily identified by its large, dark brown eyes, which contrast sharply with the yellow eyes of most other owl species.
The Barred Owl’s vocalization is a rich, baritone hooting sequence interpreted as the phrase, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”. Its opportunistic diet includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, and aquatic prey like fish and frogs in wetland habitats. The Great Horned Owl is a powerful generalist predator found in virtually every habitat across Florida, including forests, suburban parks, and open country. It is identifiable by its prominent feathered tufts and bright yellow eyes.
The Great Horned Owl is typically larger than the Barred Owl, possessing a diverse diet that includes rodents, insects, and other raptors. Its mottled gray-brown plumage provides excellent camouflage against tree bark. Its deep, resonant hooting is delivered in a sequence of four to five hoots. Both species require mature trees for nesting, often utilizing natural hollows or taking over abandoned nests.
Specialized and Smaller Species
Florida is also home to smaller, specialized owls that demonstrate unique behaviors and habitat requirements. The Eastern Screech Owl is the smallest common owl in the state, standing six to ten inches tall. It is highly adaptable to human-altered environments and is frequently found in suburban areas, nesting in natural cavities or man-made nest boxes. This species occurs in three distinct color morphs—reddish-brown, gray, and a less common brown—which aid in camouflage against different types of tree bark.
The Burrowing Owl is unique because it is the only owl in Florida that lives primarily on the ground. This small, long-legged owl lacks ear tufts and has bright yellow eyes. In Florida, this subspecies typically excavates its own burrows in open, sparsely vegetated areas like prairies, pastures, and urban vacant lots.
Burrowing Owls are a state-threatened species, with the largest colonies concentrated in the open habitats of central and southern Florida, such as Cape Coral. They are unique among Florida owls for being active during the day, though they also hunt insects and small vertebrates during dawn and dusk. Their presence indicates open, sandy terrain and low vegetation.
Regional Habitats and Distribution
The distribution of Florida’s owls is strongly tied to the specific ecosystems that characterize the state’s distinct regions. North Florida, with its extensive temperate forests, river swamps, and bottomland hardwood hammocks, is the stronghold for the Barred Owl. These dense, wet environments provide the large tree cavities and abundant aquatic prey the species favors. The Great Horned Owl is present statewide, but its density is often higher in areas with mixed woodlands and open edges.
In contrast, South Florida features specialized habitats, including the Everglades, coastal prairies, and urbanized coastal zones. The Burrowing Owl’s distribution is highly localized, thriving in the open, short-grass fields of the peninsula where it digs its burrows. The Eastern Screech Owl is common in suburban and urban parks across the south, relying on mature trees in residential properties.
Responsible Observation and Call Identification
Encountering an owl in the wild requires a commitment to ethical observation to protect these nocturnal hunters. Observers should always maintain a substantial distance, using binoculars or a scope, and retreat immediately if the owl shows any sign of stress, such as frequent head-turning. Avoid interfering with the bird’s hunting or roosting activities, and never attempt to “flush” an owl from its perch.
The use of flash photography after dark should be avoided, as the sudden bright light can temporarily impair an owl’s specialized night vision. Since owls are heard more often than seen, learning their calls is the most reliable identification method. The Barred Owl’s distinctive eight-hoot call and the Eastern Screech Owl’s descending whinny or soft trill are often heard around dusk and dawn.