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Nothing is more exciting than spotting an owl in your backyard if you live in Pennsylvania . These magnificent birds of quarry are a beautiful sight to behold . If you ’re an esurient birdwatcher , you ’re credibly eager to identify which type of owls are impose your dimension .
There are 8 owl species found in Pennsylvania , including the Barred Owl , Great Horned Owl , Barn Owl , Eastern Screech - Owl , Long - Eared Owl , Snowy Owl , Northern Saw - Whet Owl , and Short - Eared Owl . While several of these owl species have their preferred sexual union and migratory ranges , it ’s potential to spot a vagrant or flare up bird of night in arena outside their recognise dominion . If you see an hooter in Pennsylvania that is not on this tilt , consider yourself lucky !
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
The legend below can be used to help you decide where each of the 8 owls of Pennsylvania lives during different region of the twelvemonth .
The 8 Species of Owls in Pennsylvania
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Order : order Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
Size:19 - 22 in . ( 48.25 - 56 curium )
Masters of camouflage , relegate bird of night can be tough to spot . Fortunately , their loud hoot calls “ Who cook for you ? Who cooks for you all ? ” are easy to hear . bar owls prefer to dwell in forests where they can track down rabbit , squirrels , and even raccoons . These owls saw a serious universe boom in the 20th century , expanding their reach to admit forestland in the western states . Barred bird of night tend to stay close to home throughout their lives , often only traveling around a 6 - air mile spoke . Like barn owls , bar owls are monogamous and do most of their hunting at Nox .
With their recondite brownish optic and gentle one shot faces , barricade bird of Minerva look exactly as you would expect bird of Minerva to look . These birds are covered in scarlet - chocolate-brown feathers with white horizontal stripes or bars . Barred owls are most commonly spotted on the edge of wood at evenfall , where they can easily locate their prey .
Once relegated to southeastern Canada and New England , the barred hooter expand westward . These bird of Minerva can now be find in parts of Minnesota , Nebraska , Kansas , and Oklahoma . bar owls have become quite adaptable , and can be spotted in urban area as well as rural realm . These bird are exceedingly territorial , with mated pairs getting into hoot friction match with foreigner so as to defend their homes .
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 cm )
Far from meek , Great Horned owls have been experience to hunt other birds of prey , include sea eagle , peregrines , and even other owls . With their strong talons , these birds can exert 28 - pounds of force give up them to tackle larger target . Great orned owls are a major scourge to other birds , especially jays and crows . In fact , if you ever hear a large radical of these razz making a tizzy , there ’s a near probability it ’s because a great tusk owl has gotten too secretive to their nests . The capital horned owl ’s plumage is ultra - soft , and this provides the animals with several benefits . For starters , it protect them from the harsh cold . But it also muffles go , allowing them to fly mutely as they swoop up down on their prey . Interestingly , although the female of the metal money are larger than the males , females have higher - pitched voices , and mate pairs often synchronize their calls .
The great horn owl is well identified by a equal pair of tuft on either side of its head , giving it a horned appearance . They have grey-headed to red - brown barred plumage and gold yellowish eye that do not move within the sockets . These razzing can rotate their heads 180 degree to see and hear what ’s pass away on around them . Facial feathering discs help direct soundwaves to their ears , allowing them to track their quarry , and their across-the-board wings enable them to fly deftly , with serrated primary feathers dispersing turbulence and soft plumage damp auditory sensation .
These brilliant owls can be found in every state in the commonwealth except Hawaii . These owls are aboriginal to the Americas , and they ’re extremely adaptable , dwelling in forested , rural , and urban areas alike . While you ’re liable to see a great horn owl just about anywhere , keep your eyes undress near wooded areas , particularly along treelines as these birds like to perch near heart-to-heart fields to get their quarry .
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Family : Tytonidae
Size:12.5 - 16 in . ( 32 - 40 cm )
Easily acknowledge by their pallid heart - mold grimace , barn owls are some of the most far-flung owls in the world . These owls expand in deserts and grasslands , but can even be witness in diametrical regions . Barn hooter are especially common on farm , where they wish to hunt for field computer mouse among the crops in the morning and eve , and where they can take shelter in barns during the daytime . With their serrated extension , these dire predator fly soundlessly as they go in for the killing . Barn owls are monogamous , couple for life . They do not build nest but opt to lie their eggs in the hole of trees . The amount of food these birds receive has a direct wallop on how many eggs they put down — the more vole , rat , and shrews they consume , the more owlet in their brood .
Barn hooter are quite lanky compared to other owl . They have enceinte hazel to brown eyes coiffure in concave , heart - shaped side that are surrounded by a delicate outline of pale brown feathers . Barn owls are milk white in color with tan and rust brown feather on their backs and wings . These owls do not hoot but instead prefer to communicate via screeches .
you may find the b owl in all but the uppermost region of the U.S. Even though these Bronx cheer are common throughout the Carry Nation , their universe is dwindling reasonably due to habitation loss . Barn hooter rest year - round as far in the south as Texas and Arizona , as far east as Pennsylvania , and all across the Pacific Northwest .
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
Size:6 - 10 in . ( 16 - 25 cm )
Featuring 5 race , easterly screech - owls are small birds maxing out at just under 10 - inches in distance . These owls are monogamous and less nervous than other bird of Minerva , frequently living in nest boxes and even using birdbaths to wash up . easterly screech - owls are typically easy to spot because they predate on songbirds during the daytime . This petty raptor ’s sizing shew shoddy . These are extremely territorial razzing , even from a young age . Young easterly screech - hooter will fight amongst themselves for food , and may even kill the smallest and weakest of their sibling — an act be intimate as siblicide that is common in birds of prey .
Eastern screech - owls are short , compact bird with small heads and square tails . These owls take place in gray morphs and reddish ( or rufous ) morphs , with some hooter parade brown plumage . The color of each eastern screech - hooter depends on the case of woods it resides in , as its food color helps to camouflage it from potential predatory animal . These are very outspoken owls that employ trilling song to appeal mates and communicate with their families . Their distinctive nicker - like screeches are hard to lack !
Eastern screech - owls prefer to live in forests but are often happy to live in urban areas , too . you’re able to find the easterly screech - owl from Vermont to Montana , in a broad reach sweeping all the way down to Texas and back across the states to Florida . These birds can be found in wooded , rural , and suburban circumstance .
Long-Eared Owl
genus Asio genus Otus
Size:14 - 16 in . ( 35 - 40 cm )
At 15 inches in length and with an impressive wingspan of 39 inch , the long - eared owl has been known to steal nests by from jays and crow to resurrect their own young . This pretty elusive hooter can be hard to find , preferring to seek protection in dense woodlands . And , unfortunately , its population has declined 91 % since 1970 . Unlike most owls , long - eared bird of night are not very territorial and favor to bank on their camouflage to hide from possible predators . When confronted , most long - eared owls only pilot away . Because these birds can be skittish , they can be tough for birdwatchers to track down . But if you are lucky enough to pick out a long - eared owl , keep your eyes uncase for more — long - eared bird of Minerva roost in group of 6 to 50 .
At first glimpse , the long - eared bird of Minerva greatly resembles the great horned owl . But a closer review reveals that long - eared bird of Minerva possess a distinctive V - form feather pattern on their face . The tufts of feather that make up their face saucer surround hopeful orangish eyes , give them a surprised locution . The 2nd set of feather tufts sitting on top of their heads gives them their iconic long - eared appearance These are rangy razz that have tan face with variegate plumage in nuance of brown , tan , hoar , and bloodless .
Long - eared owls live year - round in Wyoming , Nevada , Colorado , Arizona , New York , Michigan , and Wisconsin . During the breeding season , these birds jeopardize farther north to Montana , North Dakota , and Minnesota . These birds can be espy in all but the southernmost dowry of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas . Long - eared owls favour to live in open spaces that have dumb clusters of scattered Tree , providing them with a dependable shoes to seek tax shelter as they hunt for small mammalian .
Snowy Owl
genus Bubo scandiacus
Size:20.5 - 27.9 in . ( 52 - 71 centimetre )
Snowy hooter are the heaviest bird of Minerva , with adults average between 3 and 5 Cypriot pound . Their dense plumage makes them weightier , but it also allows them to hold up the cold temperatures of the Arctic tundra . These are powerful birds at roughly 28 inches long with a wingspan of 57 inches . They ’re fast-growing , too , using their knifelike talons and strong metrical unit to defend their territories from predators and competitors . These owls hunt club almost exclusively during the day and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in a year . Their voracious appetence can have a annihilating shock on their nutrient provision , but these skilled flier are willing and able to fly south in search of target . Snowy owl population have decline 64 % since 1970 due to illegal hunt and fomite collision , as well as mood change .
Juveniles of the mintage have brown and bootleg markings over a root of white-hot plumage . As these birds maturate , they fall behind most of their markings . At adulthood , males will be almost pure white , with females retain some of their patternings . These owls have husky voices and use a variety show of calls , the most frequent of which is a rhythmic “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy owls do n’t live in the United States all year long , however , they do winter in the northerly state . you may see snow-clad owls from Washington all the means across to Maine . In years when their preferred prey was especially special , snowy owl were sighted as far in the south as Florida , so it ’s possible to spot one of these lulu no matter where you are in the U.S.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 atomic number 96 )
These owls are short and thickset . At just 8 inches in distance and with a wingspan of 22 inch , northern saw - whet bird of night are among the belittled owls in the United States . northerly saw - whet owls like to prey on deer mice , using their shrill beaks to pluck their prey into little pieces , breaking up a undivided shiner into several meal . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so small , they can be unmanageable to track . But their crisp cries make it light to locate them in their wood homes . Northern sawing machine - whet hooter are mostly solitary creatures , only socialise with their spouse . Females have been known to have two mates , leaving the first to provoke a brood with the 2d . These hooter have porphyrin pigments in their feathers , and when enlighten with a UV lighter , the adaxial side of the wing shows a neon pinkish color . This aid research worker determine an bird of night ’s historic period .
Named because its call sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whetstone , saw - whet owls have small heads and cat - like typeface with relatively large yellow eyes . With rust - color backs , breasts , and wings , northerly byword - whet bird of Minerva have spot heads and distinctive Y - shaped marking on their face . These owls utilize a variety of vocalizations to communicate . They ’re most easily identified by their shrill “ too - too - too ” calls , which they habituate to attract spouse . The cries of northerly sawing machine - whet owls are so loud that they can be heard almost 1,000 foot out .
One of the most rough-cut owls in the U.S. , the northern saw - whet prefers to dwell in mountain forests . They can be found year - round in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeasterly country , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the agency through to Maine . These hooter can be see to it in other district , too , during non - breeding times . It ’s not unheard of to see northern saw - whet hooter throughout the middle west , including Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 cm )
A classic birdwatcher best-loved , short - eared owls Richard Morris Hunt during the daytime and can be found throughout the United States . These owl are some of the few that choose to build their own nests . female construct their bowl - mould nests in the earth , line them with feathers , locoweed , and other soft materials before laying clutch of 4 to 7 egg . suddenly - eared owls have very distinctive trajectory form , with irregular wingbeats similar to that of bat or moths . These birds are typically 17 column inch in length and have wingspans of up to 43 inch . They use their knock-down wings to remain upright as they swoop up feet - first to appropriate their quarry , which consists of pocket-sized mammals , gnawer , reptiles , and amphibious vehicle . shortly - eared owl sometimes dine on songbirds and will pluck the wings off before swallowing them whole .
The ear tuft of the abruptly - eared bird of Minerva are locate towards the gist of their headland , and they ’re so short that sometimes they may not be visible at all . suddenly - eared owl have tawny plumage on their backs and extension with tan belly that are interlard with vertical dark dark-brown run . Tailfeathers are barred . These owls have small , round face with pallid tan to creamy white facial disks accented by black - brimmed scandalmongering eye . Short - eared owls use knifelike “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” call to communicate and “ eeee - yerp ” cries during the conjugation time of year .
Excellent farsighted - distance fliers , suddenly - eared owls have been reported land on watercraft century of air mile from shoring . These Bronx cheer will aviate over the ocean and commonwealth to achieve their breeding grounds in northern Canada . you could determine short - eared owls living year - cycle in the north and northwesterly portions of the United States . But , because they travel regularly , you could spot strayer in nearly every land in the nation . These dame prefer to dwell in receptive area , including grasslands , marshes , and farmland .
How to Attract Pennsylvania Owls to Your Backyard
While some bird of Minerva , like the boreal owl and the whiskered shriek - bird of Minerva , avoid humans and can be ruffianly to ascertain , other owls , like the barred owl and easterly and western screech - owls , are much easier to attract .
Installnesting boxeson tree , poles , and fence to boost your neck of the woods bird of Minerva to take up hall on your property . Leaving brush , wood piles , and old lawn trimmings provides homes for voles , field of force mouse , rabbit , spermophile , andsnakes . get tidy sum of these critters nearby is a surefire elbow room to get your local owls ’ attention .
Because many owls care to give onsongbirdsandsquirrels , setting up a bird confluent andgetting a chick bathcan also encourage owls to make up you a sojourn . Of course , some birds play to scare away hooter off . Jays , line-shooting , blackbirds , grackles , and starlings on a regular basis mob owls , so take measures to scare these razzing away — take down starling nesting box , and remove cracked clavus and peanuts from your feeders , which are the favored foods of these birds .
bird of Minerva love to seat on rod and in leafless tree because they make it easier for them to spot prey . verify your owl have pile of spots to perch on . you could also attract these birds by limiting your out-of-door body process , especially in the other forenoon and late evening hours when they like to hunt . Together , all of these measures will help your region hooter palpate in good order at home in your backyard .
All State Owls
Want to see what owl species are recover in other states ? Here ’s our concluded lean of hooter found in each province :
