Owl Identification

The U.S. is incredibly fortunate to be home to numerous varieties of owls. The Barn Owl is perhaps the most commonly sighted owl throughout the U.S. Nocturnal bird watching, however, may treat you to the sight of such owls as the enormous Great Horned Owl, the Saw-Whet Owl, the Flammulated Owl, the Elf Owl, the Screech Owl, or the Snowy Owl in the far north. Once when we were bird watching in the state park adjacent to American Bird Guide, we spotted a tiny Pygmy Owl seated in the branches of a pine tree, eating a mouse. Amazingly, this was a daytime sighting.

Beginning birders may find that they will first become aware of an owl nearby through sound rather than sight. These keen-eyed birds perch high in trees during night time hunting and can be difficult to spot. However, the distinctive hooting or screeching lets you know it can be no other bird than an owl. They are excellent hunters and magnificent in flight.

If you are new to bird watching and happen to catch sight of a Barn Owl in the beam of your car headlights, it will appear all white. This often leads people to think they have identified a Snowy Owl rather than a Barn Owl, but it is important to remember that the Snowy Owl is generally only present in the far north.

When taking day trips in the countryside, we like to keep a set of birdwatching binoculars stashed in our glove box. On the ride home, when the sun is setting, we are often lucky enough to catch sight of Great Horned Owls or Barn Owls perched atop telephone poles and electrical wires. What a sight!