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Nothing is more exciting than spotting an owl in your backyard if you live in Alaska . These brilliant birds of quarry are a beautiful sight to lay eyes on . If you ’re an avid birdwatcher , you ’re probably eager to name which type of hooter are visiting your property .
There are 10 owl coinage regain in Alaska , admit the Northern Hawk - Owl , Boreal Owl , Western Screech - Owl , Snowy Owl , Great Horned Owl , Barred Owl , Short - eared Owl , Northern Saw - whet Owl , Northern Pygmy - Owl , and Great Gray Owl . While several of these owl species have their preferred mating and migratory ranges , it ’s possible to spot a vagrant or flare up owl in areas outside their known territories . If you see an owl in Alaska that is not on this lean , consider yourself lucky !
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
The legend below can be used to help you influence where each of the 10 owls of Alaska live during different portion of the year .
The 10 Species of Owls in Alaska
Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
Order : order Strigiformes
house : Strigidae
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
Size:13.5 - 17.5 in . ( 33.5 - 44.4 centimetre )
As bird of prey , hooter must rely on all of their senses to close in on a killing . But the northern hawk owl prefers to hunt by pile and can spot its prey from an amazing aloofness of half a mile away . These owls have hapless hearing than most others because their spike openings are not asymmetric . Still , they can cover small mammals beneath a invertebrate foot of snow if need be . As their name implies , the northern hawk bird of night prefers to stick to the northmost fate of North America , but stragglers have been know to discover their way in the south as food becomes scarce . northerly pitch bird of Minerva nest in dead tree and vacuous stumps , where they raise clutches of 3 to 11 testis at a clock time . Fearless and confrontational , northern mortarboard owl will attack anything that wanders too close to their nesting site , whether it ’s a squirrel or a human .
mortarboard owl look like bird of night , but act like hawks , light in treetops and searching for their prey right out in the open during the daylight hr . These owls are qualify by tenacious tails and little circular heads wall by a border of dark brown plume . Their vibrant white-livered heart and beaks fend in stark dividing line to their red - brown feather . Northern hawk owls have about self-coloured chocolate-brown backs and striped fronts and use shrill rolling whistles to draw in potential mates .
These magnificent birds do not live in the United States class - circular , but they do like to expend their winters here . you’re able to regain the northerly hawk owl in the woods of the northernmost province , include New Hampshire , Vermont , and New York all the agency to the west , in Washington , Idaho , and Montana .
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
Size:9 - 10 in . ( 22.9 - 25.5 centimetre )
Small and tough , boreal owls show the most intimate dimorphism of any other bird of Minerva , with females growing twice as bombastic as the males of the metal money . circumboreal owl are hard to track down because they perch in different Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree every sidereal day . They ’re also quiet , although Male will begin hoot at night in the late winter and spring to attract a mate . Boreal owl are very small , about the sizing of a Erithacus rubecola or blue jay . Like most other owls , their skulls are asymmetrical , with one pinna initiative perched higher than the other . This unique design enables boreal owls to accurately judge both height and space when close in on their quarry .
With their circular faces and red - chocolate-brown feathers , circumboreal bird of night resemble barred owls , although they ’re much modest . These owls have large bright chickenhearted eyes , giving them a surprised formulation . As their name suggests , circumboreal owls choose to repose in boreal forests full of spruce , pine , and fir Tree . Boreal owls are most active at night when they chase down small mammals and insects .
you may witness circumboreal bird of Minerva in Washington , Idaho , and Montana , though their range go as far south as the northernmost region of New Mexico . Boreal bird of night love to perch in conifer and evergreen trees . Deforestation has led to a decline in habitat for these shy owls . But , while they can be tough to recover , they have been sleep together to use nesting boxwood , so put in a few on your property can greatly increase your chances of fleck one .
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Size:7.5 - 9.5 in . ( 19 - 24 cm )
These are humble owls , maxing out at just 9 in in distance and with wingspread of roughly 24 inches . But , do n’t lease their small stature lead on you . These birds are serious predators , regularly seek out prey many time their own size . While western screech - bird of Minerva feed on rodents , small birds , earthworms , and other hemipteran , they ’ve also been fancy predate on rabbits . Western shriek - bird of Minerva wish to baby-sit closely to where limbs conform to the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree trunk , so they can cower up against them in parliamentary law to camouflage themselves from predators and prey . These are opportunist predators who like an easy meal , but , when ascertain , they will also chamfer their prey down , sometimes grabbing boo and insects midflight .
westerly screech - owls look much like eastern scream - owl , with grownup morphs in Great Plains , Mexican , Mojave , brown Pacific , and gray Pacific colorations . They have white-haired and brown plumage with no hint of bolshie . westerly screech - owls have pocket-size , round heads with spike tufts and vivid yellow eyes . perverse to what their name would direct you to think , western screech - owls usually do n’t screech . rather , they apply short whistling and trills to put across with each other .
These owl are highly adaptable , making their homes in a variety of neighborhood , including desert , grasslands , wood , and urban area . you’re able to find western screech - owls all across the west coast , drifting inward a bit to Idaho , Wyoming , Utah , Colorado , New Mexico , and parts of Texas . If you live in one of these regions , try on instal a nesting box to attract 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 average between 3 and 5 pounds . Their dense feather makes them weightier , but it also allow them to stand firm the cold temperature of the Arctic tundra . These are sinewy birds at rough 28 column inch long with a wingspan of 57 inches . They ’re aggressive , too , using their sharp talons and strong invertebrate foot to hold their dominion from predators and competitors . These bird of night hunt almost exclusively during the daytime and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in a year . Their rapacious appetites can have a devastating impingement on their solid food supply , but these skilled flier are willing and able-bodied to fly south in search of prey . Snowy owl population have declined 64 % since 1970 due to illegal hunting and vehicle collisions , as well as climate alteration .
juvenile person of the species have dark-brown and black markings over a base of white plumage . As these birds mature , they suffer most of their markings . At adulthood , Male will be almost arrant white , with females keep back some of their patternings . These hooter have gruff voices and use a smorgasbord of shout , the most frequent of which is a rhythmic “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy owls do n’t endure in the United States all year long , however , they do winter in the northern states . you may see snowy hooter from Washington all the way across to Maine . In years when their pet target was especially modified , snow-clad owls were sighted as far south as Florida , so it ’s potential to spot one of these beaut no matter where you are in the U.S.
Great Horned Owl
genus Bubo virginianus
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 cm )
Far from meek , Great tusk owls have been known to hunt other birds of prey , including ospreys , peregrines , and even other owls . With their unassailable talon , these razz can maintain 28 - pounds of force allowing them to tackle larger quarry . outstanding orned bird of Minerva are a major menace to other birds , especially Jay and bragging . In fact , if you ever find out a large radical of these fowl produce a dither , there ’s a just chance it ’s because a great horned hooter has have too snug to their nest . The great horned owl ’s plumage is ultra - soft , and this supply the animals with several benefits . For starters , it protects them from the rough cold . But it also muffles vocalise , allowing them to fly silently as they pounce down on their quarry . Interestingly , although the female of the species are big than the males , female have higher - pitched voice , and matt-up pairs often synchronise their call option .
The great horn owl is well identify by a matching duet of tufts on either side of its head , yield it a horned appearance . They have grey to crimson - brown barred plumage and golden yellow oculus that do not move within the socket . These birds can rotate their heads 180 degrees to see and find out what ’s going on around them . Facial plumage discs help direct soundwaves to their ears , allowing them to chase after their quarry , and their wide backstage enable them to take flight dextrously , with serrated primary feathers dispersing upheaval and delicate feathers muffling phone .
These magnificent owls can be constitute in every province in the commonwealth except Hawaii . These owl are native to the Americas , and they ’re highly adaptable , dwelling in forested , rural , and urban areas alike . While you ’re liable to see a great horned owl just about anywhere , keep your eyes disrobe near wooded areas , especially along treelines as these birds like to light near open fields to encounter their prey .
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Size:19 - 22 in . ( 48.25 - 56 cm )
Masters of camouflage , barred owls can be tough to spot . Fortunately , their tacky hooting calls “ Who cooks for you ? Who make for you all ? ” are easy to pick up . Barred hooter prefer to lie in forest where they can go after down rabbits , squirrels , and even racoon . These bird of night saw a serious population boom in the 20th century , expanding their range to let in forestland in the westerly DoS . bar bird of Minerva tend to stay close to home throughout their lives , often only jaunt around a 6 - nautical mile radius . Like barn owls , barred hooter are monogamous and do most of their hunting at night .
With their inscrutable brown eyes and gentle cycle face , barred hooter look on the button as you would expect owls to look . These birds are cover in red - brown feathers with white horizontal streak or bars . exclude owls are most usually discern on the edges of forests at fall , where they can well locate their prey .
Once relegate to southeastern Canada and New England , the barred owl expanded westward . These owl can now be found in parts of Minnesota , Nebraska , Kansas , and Oklahoma . debar bird of night have become quite adaptable , and can be blob in urban areas as well as rural realm . These shuttlecock are extremely territorial , with mated pairs getting into hooting match with outsider to defend their homes .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 cm )
A classic birdwatcher preferent , short - eared bird of night hunt during the daytime and can be found throughout the United States . These owls are some of the few that prefer to build their own nest . female construct their bowl - shaped nests in the ground , line them with feathers , grasses , and other easy textile before laying clutches of 4 to 7 testicle . Short - eared bird of Minerva have very distinctive flight patterns , with irregular wingbeats similar to that of at-bat or moth . These birds are typically 17 in in length and have wingspans of up to 43 inches . They use their powerful wing to stay upright as they swoop feet - first to enchant their quarry , which consists of little mammals , rodents , reptiles , and amphibians . suddenly - eared hooter sometimes dine on songbirds and will tear the wing off before swallow them whole .
The auricle tuft of the short - eared owl are situate towards the center of their heads , and they ’re so short that sometimes they may not be seeable at all . Short - eared owls have tawny feather on their backs and annex with tan paunch that are interspersed with erect dark brown streaks . Tailfeathers are banish . These owl have minor , round face with wan tan to creamy white facial disc accented by black - brim white-livered optic . Short - eared owls utilise sharp “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” send for to intercommunicate and “ eeee - yerp ” cry during the conjugation season .
first-class prospicient - distance fliers , short - eared owls have been reported land on watercraft hundreds of Admiralty mile from shoring . These razz will fly over the ocean and land to turn over their breeding terra firma in northerly Canada . you could find short - eared owls know year - round in the north and northwest portions of the United States . But , because they move around regularly , you’re able to descry stragglers in nearly every state in the land . These snort choose to dwell in heart-to-heart areas , including grasslands , marshland , and farmland .
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 cm )
These owls are short and compact . At just 8 column inch in duration and with a wingspread of 22 inches , northern saw - whet owls are among the smallest owls in the United States . northerly sawing machine - whet owls like to prey on deer mice , using their abrupt schnoz to tear their quarry into smaller pieces , breaking up a single mouse into several meals . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so small , they can be unmanageable to chase . But their sharp cries make it well-to-do to locate them in their forest homes . Northern saw - whet bird of Minerva are mostly solitary creatures , only socializing with their mates . Females have been known to have two mate , allow for the first to invoke a brood with the second . These owls have porphyrin pigments in their feathers , and when crystallize with a UV light , the ventral side of the wings show a neon pink color . This helps researcher influence an hooter ’s age .
advert because its call sounds like a saw being sharpen on a whetstone , byword - whet owl have small heads and computed tomography - same faces with relatively large yellow eye . With rust - colored back , breasts , and wings , northerly saw - whet owls have spotted read/write head and typical Y - shaped markings on their faces . These owl use a variety of vocalizations to communicate . They ’re most easy identify by their shrill “ too - too - too ” calls , which they use to attract match . The cries of northerly adage - whet owls are so loud that they can be hear nearly 1,000 feet forth .
One of the most coarse owls in the U.S. , the northerly saw - whet prefers to consist in passel timberland . They can be establish year - daily round in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeastern state of matter , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the way through to Maine . These owl can be seen in other district , too , during non - breeding times . It ’s not unheard of to see northern saw - whet owls throughout the midwest , including Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium gnoma
Size:6.5 - 7.3 in ( 16.5 - 18.5 cm )
These owls are a favorite among birdwatchers because they prefer to hunt during the daytime . This , couple on with their courageous nature , makes them well-off to spot compared to more skittish member of the specie . Northern pigmy bird of Minerva are generally unafraid of humans , and will mirthfully nestle in urban country . This is likely due to the fact that humans put up boo feeders to pull in songbirds — the northern pygmy bird of night ’s favorite food . These owls scupper their prey and store their leftovers on spine and spikes to come back to later . Northern pigmy owls are such a threat to smaller birds that wrens , jay , and even hummingbird will mob them to tag them off . Though these boo are only about as long as a butterknife , they ’ve been have a go at it to attack prey much larger than themselves , let in wimp . Because northern pygmy bird of night lack the substantive facial disc needed to meliorate hearing , they rely on their corking eyesight to track their prey .
At just 7 inches long , northern pigmy owls are quite small , but do n’t countenance their sizing fool you . These are toughened , pertinacious fiddling bird ! Adults are gray , brown , or red - brown in colouring with white spy capitulum and sorry flank , ass , and breasts . Like ferruginous pigmy hooter , northern pygmy bird of Minerva have dark spots on the backs of their head teacher that look like another set of eyes . This assist to confound both prey and predators . The best room to find a northerly pygmy bird of Minerva is to pass over its luxuriously - pitched tooting calls .
These hooter are somewhat adaptable , moving into cityscape as their aboriginal mountain forests become less available . Unfortunately , however , these bird of Minerva do n’t often make their homes in nesting boxes , so these are an ineffectual way of attracting them . you could find northerly pigmy owls throughout the western states , 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 cm )
At 33 - inches farsighted , great white-haired hooter are the largest species of bird of night in the world in damage of distance , with females being slightly larger than males . These birds have an telling wingspread averaging around 5 foot . But , even though this owl look quite turgid , it actually is n’t that big — it ’s mostly feathers . Unlike corking horn owls , which can librate up to 5.5 pounds , majuscule gray-haired owls are padded out with thick plume and weigh just 3.75 Pound . Their swooning weightiness let them to pilot quietly as they scour the timber floor in search of food . Their asymmetrical ear openings enable them to pass over their prey while their powerful fundament and talons can crystallize through densely - packed snow to capture rodent and small mammalian tunneling beneath it .
With its grizzly feathers and ghost reflection , the great gray-haired owl has also been dubbed the Phantom of the North . This sword to brownish - grey bird of Minerva has a pitchy appearance with amber yellow eyes and large disks hem in them , giving them an appropriately wise expression . Just beneath the bird ’s schnozzle lie a bloodless “ bowtie ” that taper to rounded ends . The peachy gray hooter apply deep , rhythmic “ whoo - whoos ” to guard its territory and communicate with its family .
Great gray owls can be found year - one shot in boreal forests in the northernmost states . Look for these beautiful boo of prey in Minnesota , Michigan , Wisconsin , and New York . You ’re also likely to spot them in California , Oregon , Idaho , and even component of Wyoming and Utah .
How to Attract Alaska Owls to Your Backyard
While some owls , like the boreal owl and the whiskered shrieking - owl , avert humankind and can be knotty to find , other bird of Minerva , like the barred hooter and eastern and western screech - owls , are much easier to attract .
Installnesting boxeson trees , Pole , and fences to promote your locality bird of night to take up residence on your property . forget brush , wood piles , and old lawn trim provides homes for vole , field shiner , rabbits , Gopher , andsnakes . experience plenty of these critters nearby is a surefire way to get your local owls ’ aid .
Because many bird of night care to feed onsongbirdsandsquirrels , setting up a hiss feeder andgetting a razzing bathcan also further owls to pay you a sojourn . Of course , some bird work to scare owls off . Jays , Corvus , blackbirds , grackles , and starlings regularly mob owls , so take measures to scare these birds aside — take down starling cuddle corner , and remove crack corn and goober from your eater , which are the preferred food of these birds .
Owls love to sit on poles and in leafless tree because they make it well-heeled for them to spot prey . check that your owls have sight of smear to perch on . you could also pull in these birdie by limiting your outdoor bodily function , specially in the early morning and late eventide hours when they like to run . Together , all of these measures will help your neighborhood bird of Minerva feel right at home in your backyard .
All State Owls
desire to see what owl species are regain in other body politic ? Here ’s our ended leaning of owl found in each state :
