Have You Ever Sat Outside At Night And Heard A Soft “hoot” In The Dark Wondering What Kind Of Owl It Was. Many People In Arizona Share That Same Curiosity. With So Many Different Types Of Owls Living Across. The Deserts Forests And Mountains It Can Be Exciting Yet Confusing To Tell Them Apart. You Might Even Be Surprised By How Many Species Call This State Home.
Owls In Arizona Are Some Of The Most Fascinating Birds You’ll Ever See. From Tiny Elf Owls To The Powerful Great Horned Owl Each One Has Its Own Story Sound And Habits. In This Guide You’ll Learn How To Recognize Them Where To Find Them And What Makes Each Owl Special. Get Ready To Explore The Hidden Nighttime World Of Arizona’s Owls.
Owls in Arizona
- Barn Owl
- Barred Owl
- Burrowing Owl
- Eastern Screech Owl
- Elf Owl
- Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
- Flammulated Owl
- Great Gray Owl
- Great Horned Owl
- Long-Eared Owl
- Mexican Spotted Owl
- Northern Pygmy Owl
- Northern Saw-Whet Owl
- Short-Eared Owl
- Spotted Owl
- Western Screech Owl
- Whiskered Screech Owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl Is One Of The Most Easily Recognized Birds Of Arizona .With Its Heart Shaped Face And Pale Feathers That Seem To Glow In Moonlight. These Silent Hunters Are Often Seen Gliding Low Over Open Fields Or Desert Scrub Searching For Rodents. Their Eerie Screeching Calls Can Be Heard At Night Near Farms And Old Barns Where They Often Nest. Despite Their Ghostly Appearance Barn Owls Are A Vital Part Of Arizona’s Ecosystem Keeping Small Mammal Populations In Check.
In Arizona Barn Owls Adapt Well To Both Rural And Suburban Areas. They Prefer Nesting In Hollow Trees Cliffs Or Man-made Structures Like Barns And Church Towers. Because They’re Active All Year They Can Be Spotted In Almost Every Part Of The State. Their Diet Mainly Consists Of Mice And Voles Making Them Effective Natural Pest Controllers. For Anyone Passionate About Owl Photography This Species Is A Wonderful Subject To Capture Against A Desert Sunset Backdrop.
| Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | Found Worldwide Except Polar And Desert Regions |
| Key Fact | Known For Its Heart Shaped Face And Silent Flight |
| Plumage | Pale Cream Body With Golden Brown And Gray Upperparts |
| Behavior | Nocturnal Hunter That Uses Excellent Hearing To Locate Prey |
| Diet | Small Mammals Especially Mice And Voles |
Barred Owl
The Barred Owl Is A Rare Visitor Among The Types Of Owls In Arizona Usually Seen Only In The Far Northern Forests Or Near Riparian Areas. It’s Larger Than Most Local Species And Can Be Identified By Its Deep Brown Eyes And Striped Plumage. These Owls Prefer Dense Woodlands And Are More Common In The Eastern U.s. Making Any Arizona Sighting Quite Special For Birdwatchers.
When Barred Owls Wander Into Arizona They Often Compete With Native Species For Territory Especially The Spotted Owl. Their Call Often Described As “who Cooks For You?” Can Echo Through Wooded Canyons During Cool Winter Nights. Though Not Native To The Desert The Barred Owl Is Occasional Presence Adds An Element Of Surprise To Arizona Is Birdwatching Experience.
| Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | Found In North America In Forests And Wooded Swamps |
| Key Fact | Recognized By Its “Who Cooks For You” Call |
| Plumage | Brown And White Barred Pattern Across Body |
| Behavior | Prefers Dense Forests Often Seen Perched On Branches Near Water |
| Diet | Small Mammals Birds Amphibians And Reptiles |
Burrowing Owl
Few Arizona Owls Are As Charming And Entertaining As The Burrowing Owl. Unlike Most Nocturnal Owls This Species Is Active During The Day Especially In The Early Morning Or Late Afternoon True To Its Name It Nests In Burrows Abandoned By Prairie Dogs Or Ground Squirrels. Its Long Legs And Upright Posture Give It A Comical. Yet Captivating Look As It Stands Guard At The Burrow Entrance.
Burrowing Owls Thrive In Arizona’s Open Grasslands And Deserts From Yuma To Tucson. They Feed Mainly On Insects Small Reptiles And Rodents. Sadly Their Populations Have Been Affected By Habitat Loss But Conservation Groups Are Working To Restore Safe Nesting Areas. If You’re Lucky Enough To Spot One You’ll See A Social Curious Bird That Often Bobs Its Head As It Watches Intruders — A Delightful Moment For Any Nature Lover In Arizona.
| Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | Found In North And South America In Grasslands And Open Plains |
| Key Fact | Lives In Burrows Made By Other Animals |
| Plumage | Brown Body With White Spots And Yellow Eyes |
| Behavior | Active During Day Often Seen Standing Near Burrow Entrance |
| Diet | Insects Small Rodents And Reptiles |
Eastern Screech Owl
The Eastern Screech Owl Is Another Rare Species In Arizona Found Mostly In The Eastern Parts Of The State Near Riparian Woodlands. Despite Its Name It Doesn’t Screech Often Instead It Produces A Soft Tremolo .Call That Blends Beautifully With The Desert Night Sounds. These Small Owls Are Well Camouflaged With Gray Or Reddish Brown Plumage That Resembles Tree Bark.
Occasional Sightings Occur Near The White Mountains Wooded Rivers. They’re Skilled Hunters Catching Insects Small Rodents And Even Small Birds. For Anyone Exploring Owl Watching In Arizona Finding An Eastern Screech Owl Is A Rare Treat. They Remind Us How Diverse And Unpredictable The State’s Birdlife Can Be Even For Experienced Birders.
| Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | Found In Eastern North America In Woodlands And Suburban Areas |
| Key Fact | Small Owl With Distinctive Trill Call |
| Plumage | Gray Or Reddish Brown With Complex Streaking |
| Behavior | Nocturnal Cavity Nester Often Blends Perfectly With Tree Bark |
| Diet | Insects Small Birds And Mammals |
Elf Owl
At Just Five Inches Tall The Elf Owl Is The Smallest Of All Native Owls Of Arizona — And In Fact The Smallest Owl In The World. Found Mainly In The Southern Deserts These Tiny Birds Nest In Old Woodpecker Holes In Saguaros Or Mesquite Trees. Despite Their Size They’re Fierce Hunters Feeding On Moths Beetles And Small Scorpions At Dusk You Can Often Hear Their High-pitched Chirps Echoing Through The Desert.
Elf Owls Migrate North Into Arizona Each Spring And Return South By Late Summer. Their Charming Behavior And Miniature Size Make Them A Favorite Among Birdwatchers And Photographers. Seeing One Under The Starlit Desert Sky Feels Almost Magical — A Reminder Of How Even The Smallest Creatures Play Big Roles In Arizona’s Wild Landscapes.
| Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | Found In Southwestern United States And Mexico In Desert Regions |
| Key Fact | Smallest Owl Species In The World |
| Plumage | Brownish Gray With Pale Belly And Yellow Eyes |
| Behavior | Nests In Tree Cavities Or Abandoned Woodpecker Holes |
| Diet | Insects And Small Arthropods |
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Is One Of The Most Fascinating Desert Owls In Arizona.It Is Known For Its Tiny Size And Bold Behavior. Unlike Most Owls It’s Often Active During The Day Especially Around Dawn And Dusk. Its Rusty-brown Feathers And Fierce Yellow Eyes Give It A Striking Look .That Stands Out Among Arizona’s Desert Wildlife. This Owl Is A Skilled Hunter Taking Down Prey Larger Than Itself Such As Lizards And Small Birds.
In Arizona Ferruginous Pygmy Owls Are Most Commonly Found In The Southern Regions Especially Near The Sonoran Desert. They Prefer Mesquite And Cactus-rich Areas .Where They Can Nest In Cavities Made By Woodpeckers. Unfortunately This Species Has Become Rare Due To Habitat Loss And Conservation Efforts Are Ongoing To Protect Its Remaining Populations. If You’re Exploring Wild Arizona Birds Spotting One Of These Tiny But Powerful Predators Is A True Highlight.
| Facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Range | Found In Southern United States Mexico Central And South America |
| Key Fact | Small Yet Fierce Owl Known For Hunting Prey Larger Than Itself |
| Plumage | Reddish Brown With White Underparts And Dark Streaks |
| Behavior | Active During Day Often Seen Perching On Open Branches |
| Diet | Small Birds Insects Lizards And Rodents |
