17+ Majestic Owl Breeds You Can Find In Your Backyard This Fall

We love backyard owls! They serve as every homesteader’s pest control bodyguard, hungrily (and efficiently) maintaining rodent and insect populations. Beyond their ecological role, these nocturnal hunters captivate us with their otherworldly calls, swiveling heads, and ancient symbolism.

Our backyard owl guide will introduce you to the 17+ most common owl species you might discover on your American homestead. Some of these unique owls might live just beyond your doorstep!

Epic great horned owl Bubo virginianus roosting on a branch.

So, let’s spot some owls!

17+ Owl Breeds Homesteaders Might See This Autumn!

We love all owl breeds. However, the following 17 are the most likely to meet you in your backyard.

1. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Colorful ferruginous pygmy owl perching on a tree branch.

The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is a tiny powerhouse, packing tons of charisma into a little package. It has distinctive white eyebrows and false eyes on the back of its head. Its small size belies its fierce hunting skills, making it a thrilling sight for birdwatchers. These owls feed on giant insects, small mammals, and other birds.

Distinctive Marks: Small, round head with prominent white eyebrows and false “eyes” on the back of the head.
Height: 6.5 to 7 inches.
Wingspan: 14 to 16 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Series of hollow, whistled hoots.
Region: Southern Arizona and Texas.

The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl’s scientific name, Glaucidium brasilianum, translates roughly to Brazilian little owl.

2. Barn Owl

Lovely barn owl Tyto alba roosting on an apple tree branch

Barn Owls are nocturnal hunters that swoop silently through the night. They prey on rodents like voles, mice, and rats. Most rodents and small birds run in terror when they hear the raspy barn owl hiss.

Distinctive Marks: Heart-shaped face, dark eyes, pale coloration.
Height: 14 to 20 inches.
Wingspan: 39 to 49 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Harsh, raspy scream or hiss.
Region: Widespread across the United States.

The Barn Owl’s scientific name, Tyto alba, translates roughly to white owl.

3. Short-Eared Owl

Short eared owl Asio flammeus roosting on a small tree stump in Japan.

The Short-eared Owl is a graceful and elegant bird, often seen hunting in open fields and grasslands. Its broad wings and piercing yellow eyes catch the light almost magically. Short-eared Owls usually eat tiny mammals like voles and mice, but they’re also known to hunt insects and small birds.

Distinctive Marks: Small ear tufts, yellow eyes, streaked plumage.
Height: 13 to 17 inches.
Wingspan: 33 to 43 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Series of hoarse “voo-hoo-hoo” calls.
Region: Open country throughout North America.

The Short-eared Owl’s scientific name, Asio flammeus, translates roughly to flame-colored owl.

4. Eastern Screech Owl

An impressive and intense looking eastern screech owl.

The Eastern Screech Owl is a small but mighty predator with a distinctive whinnying call. Its gray or reddish-brown coloration helps it blend seamlessly into its surroundings. These adaptable birds easily thrive in habitats such as suburban backyards and surrounding forests. Eastern Screech Owls feed on a wide range of prey, including insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Distinctive Marks: Small size, prominent ear tufts, either gray or reddish-brown coloration.
Height: 6.5 to 10 inches.
Wingspan: 18 to 24 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Descending whinny or monotone trill.
Region: Eastern United States and southeastern Canada.

The Eastern Screech Owl’s scientific name, Megascops asio, translates roughly to large-eyed owl.

5. Great Horned Owl

Adult great horned owl Bubo viriginianus perching on a dead tree stump.

The Great Horned Owl is exemplary. It’s big, powerful, and full of attitude. You’ll also notice its iconic horns (feather tufts) and deep, hooting calls. These birds are formidable hunters and top-tier predators. They hungrily feed on small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Distinctive Marks: Large ear tufts, yellow eyes, prominent white throat patch.
Height: 18 to 25 inches.
Wingspan: 39 to 57 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Deep, resonant “hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo.”
Region: Throughout North America.

The Great Horned Owl’s scientific name, Bubo virginianus, translates roughly to Virginian great horned owl.

6. Flammulated Owl

Tiny but mighty flammulated owl perching in tree.

The Flambulated Owl is a small and elusive species known for its reddish-brown coloration and dark eyes. It is an expert insect hunter who hungrily devours as many beetles and moths as it can catch.

Distinctive Marks: Small size, dark eyes, reddish-brown coloration.
Height: 6 to 7 inches.
Wingspan: 14 to 16 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Low-pitched “hoot” repeated every few seconds.
Region: Western United States, primarily in mountainous areas.

The Flammulated Owl’s scientific name, Psiloscops flammeolus, translates roughly to the small flame-colored owl.

7. Spotted Owl

A lovely spotted owl Strix occidentalis roosting in a bright lively forest.

The Spotted Owl is a striking and distinctive species. Its haunting four-note hoots are a signature sound of old-growth forests. Their diet consists mainly of tiny mammals like flying squirrels and wood rats.

Distinctive Marks: Dark brown with white spots, no ear tufts.
Height: 16 to 19 inches.
Wingspan: 42 to 45 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Series of four-note hoots.
Region: Western United States, primarily in old-growth forests.

The Spotted Owl’s scientific name, Strix occidentalis, translates roughly to western wood owl.

8. Long-Eared Owl

A lovely long eared owl Asio otus perching on a branch.

The Long-eared Owl is an enigmatic night hunter with long, slender ear tufts and vivid orange eyes. These owls roost in dense foliage during the day. Their eerie, ghost-like call can send shivers down your spine, but their role as voracious hunters of rodents makes them invaluable to your garden’s health. They mainly eat small mammals like mice and voles.

Distinctive Marks: Long ear tufts, orange-yellow eyes, slender body.
Height: 13 to 16 inches.
Wingspan: 35 to 39 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Low, breathy hoots.
Region: Widespread but scattered across North America.

The Long-eared Owl’s scientific name, Asio otus, translates roughly to long-eared owl.

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9. Great Gray Owl

A massive great grey owl Strix nebulosa close up.

The Great Gray Owl is a majestic and powerful bird. These hefty night flyers possess striking yellow eyes that seem to pierce right through you. Many refer to them as the Phantom of the North. Small mammals like voles, mice, and shrews don’t stand a chance in their presence.

Distinctive Marks: Very large, no ear tufts, distinctive facial disc with concentric gray circles.
Height: 24 to 33 inches.
Wingspan: 54 to 60 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Deep, booming “whoo-whoo-whoo.”
Region: Boreal forests of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States.

The Great Gray Owl’s scientific name, Strix nebulosa, translates roughly to clouded wood owl.

10. Boreal Owl

Adorable juvenile boreal owl perching on a tree in the forest.

The boreal owl is a small but fierce predator. It has a cute round face and an intense, yellow-eyed stare. But don’t let its humble looks fool you. These owls are mighty hunters. They silently swoop down on unsuspecting prey (like mice and voles) under the protection of darkness.

Distinctive Marks: Small size, large head, yellow eyes, white spots on brown plumage.
Height: 9 to 10 inches.
Wingspan: 21 to 24 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Rapid series of hollow, tooting hoots.
Region: Boreal forests of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States.

The Boreal Owl’s scientific name, Aegolius funereus, translates roughly to funeral owl.

11. Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Lively looking boreal owl perching in a tree.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a tiny and adorable species. Its repetitive toot-toot-toot calls are impossible to mistake. They’re also surprisingly skillful hunters. Northern Saw-whet Owls love eating small mammals like mice, voles, and shrews.

Distinctive Marks: Tiny, large round head, yellow eyes.
Height: 7 to 8.5 inches.
Wingspan: 16 to 19 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Repetitive “toot-toot-toot” calls.
Region: Forests across North America.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl’s scientific name, Aegolius acadicus, translates roughly to owl from Acadia.

12. Western Screech Owl

An impressive looking western screech owl Megascops kennicottii.

The Western Screech Owl is a small, feisty bird with a personality far exceeding its size. It’s also a surprising backyard guest. These birds usually go unnoticed until they release their distinctive, fast-paced trilling call. They’re opportunistic hunters feeding on various prey. Their favorites include insects, small mammals, birds, and fish.

Distinctive Marks: Small size, ear tufts, yellow eyes.
Height: 7.5 to 10 inches.
Wingspan: 21 to 24 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Series of accelerating hoots.
Region: Western North America.

The Western Screech Owl’s scientific name, Megascops kennicottii, translates roughly to Kennicott’s screech owl.

13. Northern Pygmy Owl

Northern pygmy owl gazing into the camera.

The Northern Pygmy Owl may be tiny, but also a fierce and fearless hunter. It eagerly takes on prey larger than itself, like birds and small mammals. It usually hunts in the daytime, making it easier to spot as it perches on a high branch. Its diet includes songbirds, small mammals, and insects.

Distinctive Marks: Tiny, round head, yellow eyes, false eyes on the back of the head.
Height: 6 to 7 inches.
Wingspan: 14 to 16 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Rapid series of high-pitched hoots.
Region: Western North America.

The Northern Pygmy Owl’s scientific name, Glaucidium gnoma, translates roughly to gnome owl.

14. Barred Owl

An epic barred owl roosting on a big log stump.

The Barred Owl is a woodland ghost with haunting calls that echo through the forest like a distant memory. The Barred Owl is a master of stealth. It might perch ten feet above your head, and you won’t notice it. You only might notice its famous calling card, which sounds like who cooks for you. These mighty specimens hunt various prey. Its favorites include rodents, small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

Distinctive Marks: Brown and white bars on chest, dark brown eyes, no ear tufts.
Height: 16 to 25 inches.
Wingspan: 38 to 49 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Distinctive who-cooks-for-you call.
Region: Eastern and Pacific Northwest United States.

The Barred Owl’s scientific name, Strix varia, translates roughly to variegated wood owl.

15. Elf Owl

An epic elf owl perching against a beautiful woodland background.

The Elf Owl is the tiniest of its kind in the world. These owls are arguably one of the trickiest to spot. But you can recognize its voice. These adorable owls emit a series of high-pitched (and whimsical) yelps. Elf owls are also skilled hunters. They feed primarily on insects like beetles, moths, and grasshoppers. They will also eat small birds if the opportunity arises.

Distinctive Marks: Smallest owl in the world, no ear tufts, yellow eyes.
Height: 5 to 6 inches.
Wingspan: 10 to 11 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Series of high-pitched yelps.
Region: Southwestern United States.

The Elf Owl’s scientific name, Micrathene whitneyi, translates roughly to Whitney’s small owl.

16. Burrowing Owl

Intense looking burrowing owl Athene cunicularia on the ground.

The Burrowing Owl is a unique and charming owl species. It’s most famous for its ground-dwelling habits. They have unusually long legs for owls. It also makes an adorable, soft coo-cooo sound. Burrowing Owls feed primarily on insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Distinctive Marks: Long legs, ground-dwelling, brown and white spotted plumage.
Height: 7.5 to 11 inches.
Wingspan: 20 to 24 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Soft coo-cooo sound.
Region: Western United States and Florida.

The Burrowing Owl’s scientific name, Athene cunicularia, translates roughly to owl that lives in burrows.

17. Northern Hawk Owl

Epic northern hawk owl Surnia ulula owl in the wintry weather.

The Northern Hawk Owl is a striking and mighty-looking species. It’s famous for its long tail, hawk-like appearance, and yellow eyes. Unlike most owls, this one doesn’t hoot. Instead, it makes a high-pitched, sharp whistling sound. Northern Hawk Owls love eating small mammals like mice, voles, and shrews. They’ll also eat other birds and insects.

Distinctive Marks: Long tail, hawk-like appearance, yellow eyes.
Height: 14 to 17 inches.
Wingspan: 27 to 33 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Series of short, sharp whistles.
Region: Boreal forests of Alaska and Canada, an occasional winter visitor to the northern United States.

The Northern Hawk Owl’s scientific name, Surnia ulula, translates roughly to hooting owl.

18. Snowy Owl

Mighty snowy owl Bubo scandiacus showing its epic wingspan.

We saved one of our favorite owls for last. The majestic snowy owl! These owls are a breathtaking sight. They sport large, vibrant white plumage and striking yellow eyes. They live in the Arctic but occasionally grace northern backyards. They prefer hunting in open ground, where they swoop upon lemmings, moles, birds, fish, and other tiny mammals.

Distinctive Marks: Largely white plumage, yellow eyes, no ear tufts.
Height: 20 to 28 inches.
Wingspan: 49 to 57 inches.
Vocal Characteristics: Deep, booming “hoo, hoo.”
Region: Arctic regions, winter visitors to the northern United States.

The Snowy Owl’s scientific name, Bubo scandiacus, translates roughly to Arctic great horned owl.

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Conclusion

Thanks for reading our 17+ owl breed guide! Every time we see an owl, it’s a special occasion. Not everyone is so lucky. So, we wrote this guide to celebrate, identify, and promote owls. We hope you had fun reading!

What about you?

Have you ever seen an owl in your yard?
Have you ever spotted an owl in the wild?
If so, which owl do you think it was?
Have you ever seen an owl not on this list?
What is your favorite owl breed?

We hope to hear from fellow owl fanciers!

Thanks again for reading.

Have a great day!