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Nothing is more exciting than spotting an hooter in your backyard if you exist in Wyoming . These magnificent birds of fair game are a beautiful sight to behold . If you ’re an avid birdwatcher , you ’re likely eager to identify which types of owls are visiting your property .
There are 13 bird of night species find in Wyoming , including the Northern Pygmy Owl , Great Gray Owl , Western Screech Owl , Snowy Owl , Flammulated Owl , Boreal Owl , Long - Eared Owl , Short - Eared Owl , Great Horned Owl , Eastern Screech , Burrowing Owl , Northern Saw - Whet Owl , and Barn Owl . While several of these owl species have their preferred mating and migratory range , it ’s possible to spy a vagrant or irrupting bird of night in domain outside their screw territories . If you see an owl in Wyoming that is not on this list , reckon yourself favourable !
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
The caption below can be used to help you mold where each of the 13 bird of night of Wyoming dwell during different parts of the year .
The 13 Species of Owls in Wyoming
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium gnoma
Order : Strigiformes
kinfolk : Strigidae
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
Size:6.5 - 7.3 in ( 16.5 - 18.5 cm )
These owls are a favorite among birdwatchers because they prefer to track down during the daytime . This , coupled with their courageous nature , makes them easier to recognise compare to more skittish members of the species . northerly pygmy owls are generally unafraid of mankind , and will happily nestle in urban country . This is potential due to the fact that humans specify up razz feeders to attract songbirds — the northern Pigmy owl ’s favorite food . These owls ambush their prey and store their leftovers on thorns and spikes to come back to subsequently . Northern Pigmy owl are such a scourge to smaller Bronx cheer that wrens , jays , and even hummingbirds will mob them to chase them away . Though these chick are only about as long as a butterknife , they ’ve been known to snipe prey much larger than themselves , admit chicken . Because northern pygmy owls lack the substantial facial record ask to improve hearing , they bank on their keen eyesight to track their prey .
At just 7 inches recollective , northerly pygmy bird of Minerva are quite small , but do n’t have their size frivol away you . These are tough , tenacious lilliputian birds ! Adults are gray , brownish , or red - brown in coloring with white spotted heads and dark wing , tails , and breasts . Like ferruginous pygmy owls , northerly pygmy owls have colored spots on the backs of their heads that await like another set of eyes . This facilitate to obnubilate both prey and predators . The best way to find a northern pygmy owl is to track its high up - pitched tooting call .
These owls are passably adaptable , moving into cityscapes as their native mountain forests become less useable . Unfortunately , however , these owl do n’t often make their homes in draw close boxes , so these are an ineffectual substance of draw them . you could find northerly Pigmy bird of Minerva throughout the western state , in California , Oregon , and Idaho , and farther south in Colorado , Arizona , and New Mexico .
Great Gray Owl
Strix nebulosa
Size:25 - 33 in . ( 63.5 - 84 curium )
At 33 - inches long , with child gray owl are the largest species of owl in the world in term of length , with females being slightly big than male person . These Bronx cheer have an telling wingspan averaging around 5 pes . But , even though this owl looks quite with child , it really is n’t that big — it ’s mostly feathers . Unlike great horned owls , which can weigh up to 5.5 quid , gravid gray hooter are dramatise out with dense feather and count just 3.75 pounds . Their lite weight allows them to vaporize softly as they scour the wood floor in search of food for thought . Their asymmetrical ear openings enable them to track their prey while their powerful feet and talons can sack through densely - pack snow to capture rodent and small mammals tunneling beneath it .
With its gray feathers and haunt look , the great gray bird of night has also been dubbed the Phantom of the North . This steel to chocolate-brown - gray bird of night has a jet appearance with gold yellow eyes and big disk surrounding them , giving them an appropriately wise look . Just beneath the bird ’s beak lies a white “ bowtie ” that tapers to rounded end . The great gray hooter uses deep , rhythmic “ whoo - whoos ” to guard its territories and communicate with its class .
nifty hoar hooter can be regain year - round in boreal forests in the northmost states . calculate for these beautiful birds of prey in Minnesota , Michigan , Wisconsin , and New York . You ’re also potential to blemish them in California , Oregon , Idaho , and even office of Wyoming and Utah .
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Size:7.5 - 9.5 in . ( 19 - 24 cm )
These are small bird of Minerva , maxing out at just 9 inches in duration and with wingspans of some 24 column inch . But , do n’t permit their small height deceive you . These birdie are serious predatory animal , on a regular basis seeking out fair game many fourth dimension their own size of it . While western screech - bird of Minerva feed on rodents , small birds , earthworms , and other bugs , they ’ve also been learn preying on lapin . Western scream - owls care to posture close to where limbs meet the tree trunk , so they can huddle up against them for camouflage themselves from predators and prey . These are opportunistic predators who care an easy meal , but , when determined , they will also chase their prey down , sometimes grabbing birds and insects midflight .
westerly shriek - bird of Minerva look much like eastern screech - bird of night , with grownup morphs in Great Plains , Mexican , Mojave , brown Pacific , and grey Pacific colorations . They have gray and brown plumage with no hint of loss . westerly screech - owls have humble , round heads with spike tussock and vivid chicken eyes . Contrary to what their name would lead you to believe , western screech - owl commonly do n’t screech . or else , they use short whistles and warble to communicate with each other .
These hooter are highly adaptable , making their homes in a potpourri of region , including deserts , grasslands , forests , and urban areas . you could find out western shriek - owls all across the west coast , stray inwards a bit to Idaho , Wyoming , Utah , Colorado , New Mexico , and parts of Texas . If you live in one of these regions , try instal a nesting box to draw a western screeching - owl to your backyard .
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Size:20.5 - 27.9 in . ( 52 - 71 cm )
Snowy owls are the heaviest bird of Minerva , with adults averaging between 3 and 5 Syrian pound . Their dense plumage make them weightier , but it also allows them to stand firm the cold temperatures of the Arctic tundra . These are powerful birds at rough 28 inches long with a wingspan of 57 inch . They ’re aggressive , too , using their sharp talon and unattackable feet to fight their territories from predators and competitors . These bird of night hunt almost exclusively during the day and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in a yr . Their edacious appetites can have a devastating impact on their food supplying , but these skilled fliers are unforced and capable to fly south in search of prey . Snowy owl population have declined 64 % since 1970 due to illegal hunting and vehicle collision , as well as climate change .
juvenile person of the species have dark-brown and black marking over a fundament of livid plume . As these birds maturate , they turn a loss most of their markings . At matureness , males will be almost unadulterated white , with females retaining some of their patternings . These bird of night have hoarse voice and use a variety of calls , the most frequent of which is a rhythmical “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy owls do n’t be in the United States all twelvemonth long , however , they do wintertime in the northern commonwealth . you may see snowy owl from Washington all the way across to Maine . In year when their best-loved prey was particularly limited , snow-white bird of night were sighted as far to the south as Florida , so it ’s possible to spot one of these beauties no matter where you are in the U.S.
Flammulated Owl
Psiloscops flammeolus
Size:6 - 6.5 in . ( 15 - 17 curium )
Though these bird of night only measure around 6 inches in distance , they have a large wingspan for their sizing , measuring 14 - inches from wingtip to wingtip . Their long , powerful wings enable them to aviate quickly between the treetops of their timberland homes . These owl rust bugs almost solely , preferring moth and butterflies above other insects . In fact , this propensity for dirt ball may account for why these owls migrate in the south during the wintertime months . Flammulated owl are monogamous , choosing one mate for life history . Mated pairs evoke 2 to 4 owlet at a time in nests that are not lined with any sort of bedding material . Unlike most owls , who prefer to keep to themselves , flammulated owls form loose colonies — in all likelihood for protective covering since they ’re so small .
Featuring feathers in shades of gray and chocolate-brown with rust fungus cherry lead along its wings , and distinctive flaming - like grading on its face ( hence its name ) , this owl is incredibly well - camouflaged . The best way to find a flammulated bird of night is by listen to its call . The flammulated owl has a much lower - sales pitch call than you would expect from such a small owl . This acts as a defense mechanics , flim-flam potential piranha into think they ’re much bigger than they really are .
When it add up to cut through down flammulated owls , birdwatchers have their work disregard out for them . Because these owls prefer to pass their time alight on the peak of marvelous conifers searching for bugs , they can be hard to find . These birds migrate through west Texas and New Mexico and have a scattered nurture mountain range that includes component part of California , Oregon , Washington , Idaho , Nevada , Utah , and Colorado , where they inhabit from late April or early May to August .
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
Size:9 - 10 in . ( 22.9 - 25.5 curium )
little and knotty , circumboreal owls show the most sexual dimorphism of any other owl , with females growing twice as big as the male person of the species . circumboreal owls are difficult to traverse down because they perch in dissimilar tree diagram every day . They ’re also quiet , although males will begin hooting at night in the late winter and leap in Holy Order to attract a mate . Boreal bird of night are very little , about the size of a robin or dark jay . Like most other owls , their skull are asymmetrical , with one pinna opening alight higher than the other . This unparalleled design enables circumboreal owls to accurately adjudicate both altitude and distance when closing in on their prey .
With their circular grimace and red - brown plume , boreal bird of Minerva resemble block up owls , although they ’re much pocket-sized . These owls have bombastic shining yellow eyes , give them a surprised expression . As their name suggests , circumboreal hooter prefer to reside in boreal wood full of spruce , pine , and fir tree diagram . Boreal owls are most dynamic at night when they track down small mammals and insects .
you may find boreal owls in Washington , Idaho , and Montana , though their ambit go as far south as the northmost part of New Mexico . Boreal owls love to perch in conifer and evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Deforestation has led to a descent in home ground for these diffident owls . But , while they can be tough to find , they have been get laid to use nesting box , so installing a few on your property can greatly increase your chance of espy one .
Long-Eared Owl
Asio otus
Size:14 - 16 in . ( 35 - 40 curium )
At 15 inch in length and with an impressive wingspread of 39 inch , the long - eared owl has been known to slip nest away from jays and crows to lift their own immature . This somewhat elusive bird of night can be tough to witness , preferring to essay shelter in dim woodlands . And , alas , its population has declined 91 % since 1970 . Unlike most owls , long - eared bird of Minerva are not very territorial and prefer to rely on their camouflage to hide from likely predators . When confronted , most long - eared owls simply vanish away . Because these birds can be skittish , they can be tough for birdwatchers to track down . But if you are favourable enough to spot a long - eared owl , keep your eyes peeled for more — long - eared owls roost in group of 6 to 50 .
At first glimpse , the long - eared bird of Minerva greatly resemble the great tusk owl . But a close review reveals that long - eared owls have a distinctive V - shaped feather pattern on their faces . The tuft of feathers that make up their look disks surround brilliant orangish eye , ease up them a surprised expression . The second set of feather tufts sitting on top of their heads cave in them their iconic long - eared appearing These are lanky birds that have tan faces with motley plumage in shade of brown , tan , gray , and white .
Long - eared owls endure yr - cycle in Wyoming , Nevada , Colorado , Arizona , New York , Michigan , and Wisconsin . During the training season , these chick venture further north to Montana , North Dakota , and Minnesota . These birds can be spotted in all but the southernmost portion of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas . Long - eared owls opt to live in open space that have dense clusters of scattered trees , providing them with a safe place to seek tax shelter as they trace for small mammals .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 centimetre )
A classic birdwatcher best-loved , myopic - eared owls James Henry Leigh Hunt during the day and can be see throughout the United States . These owl are some of the few that favor to build up their own nest . female person construct their bowl - shaped nest in the ground , line them with feather , gage , and other diffuse materials before laying grip of 4 to 7 eggs . Short - eared owls have very distinctive flight pattern , with irregular wingbeats alike to that of bats or moths . These birds are typically 17 inches in duration and have wingspans of up to 43 inch . They use their muscular wings to stick vertical as they swoop feet - first to capture their prey , which dwell of small mammal , gnawer , reptilian , and amphibians . Short - eared owls sometimes dine on songbirds and will deplume the wings off before accept them whole .
The ear tufts of the short - eared bird of night are posit towards the center of their head , and they ’re so scant that sometimes they may not be seeable at all . Short - eared owls have tawny plume on their backbone and wings with tan bellies that are intersperse with upright gloomy brown streaks . Tailfeathers are blockade . These owls have little , round faces with pale tan to creamy white facial platter accented by black - brimmed yellowish eyes . Short - eared bird of Minerva use sharp “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” calls to communicate and “ eeee - yerp ” blazon out during the mating time of year .
Excellent long - space fliers , dead - eared owls have been report landing on vessel century of miles from shoring . These bird will vanish over the sea and land to reach their breeding flat coat in northern Canada . you’re able to find shortly - eared bird of Minerva living twelvemonth - round in the north and northwesterly percentage of the United States . But , because they journey on a regular basis , you’re able to spot stragglers in nearly every state in the country . These wench favour to harp in open area , let in grasslands , marsh , and farmland .
Great Horned Owl
genus Bubo virginianus
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 atomic number 96 )
Far from meek , Great Horned bird of Minerva have been bed to hunt other birds of prey , let in fish eagle , peregrines , and even other hooter . With their warm talons , these birds can exert 28 - pounds of force play let them to undertake larger prey . bang-up orned owls are a major threat to other birds , particularly Jay and crows . In fact , if you ever hear a large group of these birds seduce a fuss , there ’s a good fortune it ’s because a big tusk owl has gotten too close to their nest . The keen tusk owl ’s plumage is radical - easy , and this provides the creature with several benefits . For starters , it protect them from the harsh cold . But it also smother fathom , allowing them to aviate silently as they swoop up down on their prey . Interestingly , although the females of the species are larger than the males , female have higher - pitched voices , and mate pairs often synchronize their calls .
The great horned bird of night is easily identified by a match distich of tufts on either side of its head , giving it a horn appearance . They have gray to red - brown block up plumage and gilded white-livered eyes that do not move within the socket . These birds can rotate their pass 180 degrees to see and hear what ’s going on around them . Facial plume discs serve direct soundwaves to their ears , reserve them to track their prey , and their encompassing wings enable them to flee dexterously , with serrate primary feathers dissipate turbulence and softer feather muffling phone .
These brilliant owls can be find in every state in the land except Hawaii . These owls are native to the Americas , and they ’re highly adaptable , dwelling in forested , rural , and urban areas likewise . While you ’re nonresistant to see a great horned bird of Minerva just about anywhere , keep your centre peeled near wooded area , specially along treelines as these birds like to perch near open theatre of operations to find their prey .
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops genus Asio
Size:6 - 10 in . ( 16 - 25 cm )
have 5 race , eastern screech - hooter are small birds maxing out at just under 10 - inches in length . These owls are monogamous and less spooky than other bird of Minerva , oft living in nesting boxes and even using birdbath to wash up . Eastern screech - owls are typically loose to spy because they predate on songbird during the daytime . This picayune raptorial bird ’s size proves shoddy . These are extremely territorial birds , even from a immature eld . Young eastern screech - owls will fight amongst themselves for food for thought , and may even kill the smallest and weakly of their sib — an act recognize as siblicide that is common in birds of prey .
Eastern screech - owls are short , stocky birds with humble question and square tails . These owl occur in grey morphs and red ( or rufous ) morphs , with some owls exhibiting browned plumage . The colour of each eastern screech - owl depend on the type of forest it resides in , as its colouring aid to camouflage it from potential predators . These are very outspoken owls that utilise warble yell to pull mates and communicate with their families . Their typical whinny - like screeches are strong to pretermit !
easterly screech - bird of night opt to live in timberland but are often well-chosen to experience in urban areas , too . you’re able to feel the eastern shriek - bird of night from Vermont to Montana , in a unspecific compass sail all the way down to Texas and back across the province to Florida . These razz can be chance in wooded , rural , and suburban preferences .
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Size:7.5 - 9.8 in ( 19 - 25 cm )
These small owls go in grasslands and comeuppance where they enjoy feeding on insects , small mammals , and reptilian . burrow owls are among only a smattering of owls that prefer to hunt during the daytime , pass their nights tucked away in their dens . When burrows are not available to them , these highly adaptable birds make their homes in buckets , piping , and tubing . Burrowing owls have a higher tolerance for carbon dioxide than other birds , enabling them to expend more time huddled up in a small space . These hiss cleverly use dung to carpet their hideout , which ask round insects to chat , providing the birds with an easy repast . burrow owls have also been cognise to collect shining objects , such as nursing bottle caps , paper clips , and bits of canister foil .
tunnel owls have foresightful leg and an upright position . They also have graphic yellow eyes and although their red - dark-brown plumage resemble both the blockaded and boreal hooter , the fact that they hold out on the ground makes it easy to differentiate between these coinage . Burrowing owl are pretty muted , with males producing high - pitched “ coo - coos ” to fend for their territories and attract mate .
As their name suggest , burrowing owls make their homes in underground burrows , unremarkably left behind by prairie Canis familiaris . you may notice burrowing bird of night class - bout throughout the sou'-west , predominantly in California , Arizona , New Mexico , and Texas . However , this owl ’s genteelness range of a function extends much further northerly , up to Washington , Montana , and North Dakota .
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 centimeter )
These owls are short and compact . At just 8 inches in length and with a wingspan of 22 inches , northern saw - whet owls are among the little owl in the United States . northerly saw - whet owls care to predate on cervid shiner , using their knifelike beaks to tear their fair game into smaller small-arm , breaking up a single mouse into several meals . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so modest , they can be difficult to tag . But their sharp cries make it easy to locate them in their wood home . Northern proverb - whet owls are mostly solitary creatures , only socializing with their mates . Females have been know to have two mate , give the first to raise a brood with the second . These owls have porphyrin paint in their feather , and when illuminated with a UV illumination , the ventral side of the wings usher a neon pink color . This help researchers determine an hooter ’s age .
Named because its call sounds like a saw being sharpen on a whetstone , saw - whet owls have small head and cat - same faces with relatively heavy scandalmongering eyes . With rust - colored backs , breasts , and wings , northerly saw - whet owl have spotted heads and typical Y - shaped marking on their faces . These hooter utilise a variety of vox to pass on . They ’re most easily place by their shrill “ too - too - too ” calls , which they use to attract mates . The cries of northern saw - whet owl are so meretricious that they can be hear nearly 1,000 understructure away .
One of the most common owls in the U.S. , the northern saw - whet prefers to dwell in mountain forests . They can be discover class - cycle in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeasterly states , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the way through to Maine . These bird of night can be seen in other district , too , during non - breeding sentence . It ’s not unheard of to see northerly saw - whet owls throughout the midwest , including Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
house : Tytonidae
Size:12.5 - 16 in . ( 32 - 40 centimetre )
Easily recognize by their sick heart - shaped faces , barn owls are some of the most far-flung owls in the reality . These bird of night fly high in deserts and grasslands , but can even be found in polar regions . Barn hooter are especially common on farms , where they like to hunt for airfield shiner among the crops in the aurora and evening , and where they can take shelter in barns during the daytime . With their serrate wing , these horrendous marauder fly noiselessly as they go in for the kill . Barn bird of night are monogamous , mating for life . They do not build nests but opt to lay their eggs in the hollows of trees . The amount of food these shuttle receive has a direct impact on how many eggs they lay — the more field mouse , rats , and shrews they ingest , the more owlet in their brood .
Barn owls are quite lanky liken to other owls . They have large hazel to dark-brown eye determine in concave , heart - shaped facial expression that are surrounded by a delicate outline of pallid brownish feathers . Barn owls are milk livid in color with tan and rust chocolate-brown feather on their backs and wings . These owls do not hoot but rather favour to put across via screeches .
you could happen the b owl in all but the uppermost area of the U.S. Even though these birds are common throughout the nation , their population is dwindle away passably due to dwelling house loss . Barn owl domicile yr - round as far to the south as Texas and Arizona , as far east as Pennsylvania , and all across the Pacific Northwest .
How to Attract Wyoming Owls to Your Backyard
While some owls , like the boreal bird of Minerva and the bearded screech - bird of night , avoid world and can be hard to find , other owls , like the barred bird of night and easterly and western screech - owls , are much well-off to attract .
Installnesting boxeson trees , rod , and fences to boost your neighborhood hooter to take up residence on your property . Leaving light touch , wood piles , and honest-to-goodness lawn trim leave homes for voles , field mice , rabbits , gophers , andsnakes . Having plenty of these critter nearby is a surefire path to get your local owls ’ attention .
Because many hooter like to fee onsongbirdsandsquirrels , setting up a raspberry feeder andgetting a skirt bathcan also encourage bird of night to ante up you a visit . Of course , some shuttlecock work to frighten hooter off . Jays , crows , blackbirds , grackles , and starlings regularly mob bird of night , so take measures to scare away these bird away — take down starling nesting box , and remove cracked Indian corn and peanuts from your feeder , which are the best-loved nutrient of these birds .
Owls love to sit on poles and in leafless Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree because they make it easier for them to spot quarry . check that your owls have plenty of touch to light on . you’re able to also attract these dame by limiting your outdoor activeness , especially in the former sunup and late evening hours when they like to hunt . Together , all of these measures will help your locality bird of night feel flop at home in your backyard .
All State Owls
Want to see what owl specie are encounter in other states ? Here ’s our concluded listing of owls found in each state :
