5/17/2023 0 Comments Snowy owl wingspanNorthern saw-whet owls are pretty small compared to other species. These birds seem pretty fearless, as they reportedly attack arctic wolves, too! Northern Saw-Whet Owl Their territorial instincts may drive them to attack a human if they see one close to their nests. If you do come across one of these owls, bear in mind that they’re very aggressive. You’d be lucky to catch a snowy owl in California since they only spend the winter there, and they stay near the northwest area. Their bright, white color makes them very easy to identify, and their large bodies make spotting them even easier to do. Snowy owls are among the most beautiful species of owls on Earth. They may even kill their own if they have to. This species of owls is known for its aggressive behavior towards other prey birds, including owls. You can find them in both dense woodlands and suburban areas, including one of the city parks. Great horned owls are the most common species in the U.S., and they’re permanent residents of California. They’re most active during the night, except during their mating season when they hunt all day. Great gray owls spend the whole year in California, particularly in the northeastern areas. With their deep eyes and round, grey faces, they’re likely to give someone a pretty serious scare if they appear out of nowhere.ĭespite that, barred owls and great horned owls are reportedly scarier. The great gray owl is the largest owl species in North America, and we’d like to believe the reason owls are perceived as scary is because of this species. These owls prefer staying near canyons and along coasts, though, so you’re less likely to see them in California’s central areas. You can see them in nearly all the state’s regions, but that’s only if you’ve got a little bit of luck on your side. These owls have grey feathers that help them stay camouflaged against tree trunks.ĭespite their late-night habits and impressive camouflage skills, the western screech-owl is pretty common in California, and they spend the whole year there. Western screech-owls are strictly nocturnal, so your only chance to see them is at night. You may run across a barn owl or its nest in grassland areas, and note that they’ve mostly been sighted on California’s west coast. They have heart-shaped faces that are easy to identify. It’s also a year-round resident, so the odds of any birdwatcher spotting one or two of them are pretty high.īarn owls have pale brown or grey feathers on their bodies, and their bellies are covered in white feathers. The barn owl is one of the most common owl species in the United States, so it’s no wonder you can find it in abundance in California. But as we mentioned before, their numbers are declining, so your chances of seeing one of them are pretty slim. These owls spend the whole year in the central and northern regions of California. Just like typical bickering siblings, the two owl species are continually competing, so much so that spotted owls are becoming endangered because of the barred bird. Spotted owls come from the same family as barred owls. These birds have a distinctive hoot that’s used in most movies when an owl sound is needed. You might occasionally catch one in more central parts of the state, but the odds of that are pretty slim.įind them spending most of their time near swamps, marshlands, and occasionally woodland areas. They are year-round residents of California, but only in the northwestern regions. Barred Owlīarred owls have white bars that cover their bodies, hence the species of birds’ name. Read on to learn more about every species you’ll spot there. Whether you’re going to the Golden State for a trip or living there, there’s a high chance you can catch one or two of the 14 species of owls in California. Not to mention that California also packs a total of 110 state and eight national parks, which provides plenty of space for raptors and birds you don’t usually see on the streets to flutter about. The state’s summers are dry and hot while winters are mild for a wide variety of birds, this makes for an ideal habitat to live in year-round with no need to migrate during the winter months. Thanks to its oak woodlands and Mediterranean climate, it’s no wonder California is home to 14 species of owls!
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