Texas is home to a diverse range of owl species, with eleven species of owls found in the state. These owls inhabit a variety of habitats, from open grasslands to dense forests. Owls in Texas are found in all regions of the state, from the arid desert grasslands of the Panhandle to the tall pines of the East Texas Piney Woods. They have adapted to the different regions of Texas, with each species having its own unique habitat preferences and adaptations.
The state’s geography is an important factor in the distribution of owls. Owls are found in most of the state’s vegetation types, including open grasslands, riparian forests, urban parks, and even open ocean areas. The availability of prey and nesting sites, along with the number of hours of daylight and the amount of precipitation, all affect where owls can be found in the state. Understanding the ecology of owls in Texas is essential to managing human-wildlife interactions and preserving the state’s biodiversity.
owls IN TEXAS
Read on to learn more about the 11 owls that visit Texas.
Barn Owl
- Tyto alba
- Size: 16″ (40 cm)
Identification and Color: A medium-sized owl with short tails and rounded wings. Barn owls have rounded heads, dark eyes, and relatively long legs. They have white on their faces, on their body, and underneath their wings. On top, they are a mix of greys and browns.
Habitat and Behavior: Found all over the United States in all seasons. Prefers to be in large areas of woodlands, farmlands, or grasslands. Likes to fly low at night to hunt in the open areas.
Diet: The Barn Owl eats small rodents like voles, mice, and shrews. May also eat some birds or lizards.
What does a Barn Owl sound like?
American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) · call
Luiz C. Silva
Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil
More Barn Owl Facts
Barred Owl
- Strix varia
- Size: 20″ (51 cm)
Identification and Color: A large, stocky owl with rounded tail feathers and dark eyes. Underneath, they have dark and light streaks. On the top of their bodies, they have brown and white barring.
Habitat and Behavior: Typically found in the eastern half of the United States and some parts of Canada. Likes being in woodlands and forests that are nearby water sources. Usually quiet in the daytime with occasional calls, and hunts during the night.
Diet: The majority of the Barred Owl’s diet is small mammals. Mice, squirrels, and rabbits are favorites.
What does a Barred Owl sound like?
Barred Owl (Strix varia) · song
Kayla Brown
Valley of the Giants – South Flat, Lincoln County, Oregon, United States
More Barred Owl Facts
Burrowing Owl
- Athene cunicularia
- Size: 9″ (23 cm)
Identification and Color: A small owl with a rounded head, short tail, and long legs. They have yellow eyes and white marks above them. Brown, tan, and white horizontal stripes on their front bodies, with brown and white spotting on top.
Habitat and Behavior: Located in the western half of the United States, Mexico, and some parts of Central America. Will breed in the north and spend the winter in the south. Likes to be in mostly open grasslands or prairies. Will be on low perches or near the ground.
Diet: The Burrowing Owl eats insects from the ground and small mammals too.
What does a Burrowing Owl sound like?
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) · song
David Ricardo Rodríguez-Villamil
Chochó, Sucre, Colombia
More Burrowing Owl Facts
Eastern Screech-owl
- Megascops asio
- Size: 9″ (23 cm)
Identification and Color: Pointed tufts on the ears stand out on a short and stocky body. They have yellow eyes on a large head. A square and short tail with rounded wings. They are patterned to mimic tree bark in grey, white, and brown colors.
Habitat and Behavior: A mostly permanent resident in the eastern half of the United States. Likes woodlands, forests, and farm groves that are located near water. A vocal bird that forages at night mainly from watching on a perch.
Diet: The Eastern Screech Owl eats large insects like beetles, crickets, and moths. Will also eat small rodents.
What does an Eastern Screech Owl sound like?
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) · song
Nick Komar
Loveland, Larimer County, Colorado, United States
More Eastern Screech Owl Facts
Elf Owl
- Micrathene whitneyi
- Size: 5″ (13 cm)
Identification and Color: A very small owl between 4 and 5 inches in length. They have small feet, short tails, and big heads for their small bodies. Mostly dark brown on top with some white streaks. They are white and brown mottled underneath.
Habitat and Behavior: Found just north of the Mexican border and in Mexico. Likes to reside in deserts, thorn forests, and canyons. Will migrate together in small flocks. Forages and night and will eat small insects in flight.
Diet: The Elf Owl enjoys insects as well as some scorpions and spiders.
What does an Elf Owl sound like?
Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) · song
Leonardo Guzman Hernandez
La Colorada, Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
More Elf Owl Facts
Flammulated Owl
- Psiloscops flammeolus
- Size: 6″ (17 cm)
Identification and Color: A small owl with short ear tufts on top and a short tail. They have white, grey, reddish, and brown colorings that make a pattern similar to the bark on a tree. Very dark eyes.
Habitat and Behavior: They can be found in the western United States but migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Likes to be in open and mature mountainous forests. Will nest in these open areas too.
Diet: The Flammulated Owl feeds on large insects as well as some spiders and scorpions.
What does a Flammulated Owl sound like?
Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus) · call
Lance A. M. Benner
Cedar Spring, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, California, United States
More Flammulated Owl Facts
Great Horned Owl
- Bubo virginianus
- Size: 25″ (64 cm)
Identification and Color: They have large, easily distinguished ear tufts on top of their heads. White patches on their necks and reddish-brown faces. They have grey and brown mottling all over their bodies. Yellow eyes and rounded heads.
Habitat and Behavior: Found all over North America for all seasons. Likes a varied habitat, including woodlands, swamps, and deserts. They may also be around cities or suburbs. Nocturnal hunting at night.
Diet: The Great-horned Owl enjoys a varied diet of mammals and birds. Diet is dependent on their current region.
What Does A Great-Horned Owl Sound Like?
More Great-Horned Owl Facts
Long-eared Owl
- Asio otus
- Size: 16″ (41 cm)
Identification and Color: Medium-sized owls that have very long ear tufts. A slender body and somewhat squared head. Ear tufts are black and orange. They have a complex pattern of black, brown, and white. They have orange outlining their faces and white marks near their yellow eyes.
Habitat and Behavior: Breeds in northern North America and winters in the south across the country. They prefer a mixture of open woodlands and dense forests. Will nest in tall trees and forage in open areas. Very vocal birds that will wait until night to hunt.
Diet: The Long-eared Owl enjoys small mammals or rodents. Mice, voles, and gophers are a part of the diet.
What Does a Long-eared Owl sound like?
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) · begging call
Paolo Zucca
Leno, Provincia di Brescia, Lombardia, Italy
More Long-eared Owl Facts
Northern Saw-whet Owl
- Aegolius acadicus
- Size: 8″ (20 cm)
Identification and Color: A small owl that has a large and rounded head. Yellow eyes and white in the middle of their faces. T hey have brown and white speckles on the rest of their heads. White and brown streaking on their underparts, with brown and white spots on top.
Habitat and Behavior: Located throughout much of the United States, except the far south. Also, in parts of Canada and along the north-western coastline. They prefer forests and groves that are dense to breed. Active mainly at night, they perch and remain hidden during the day.
Diet: The Northern Saw-whet Owl eats mall rodents and occasionally birds and insects.
What does a Northern Saw-whet Owl sound like?
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) · call
Ron Overholtz
Grandview Campground, White Mountains, Inyo County, California, United State
More Northern Saw-whet Owl Facts
Short-eared Owl
- Asio flammeus
- Size: 17″ (43 cm)
Identification and Color: Rounded heads, big wings that are rounded, and a short tail. They have pale yellow and white on their faces. Yellow eyes are outlined in black. White and brown streaky underparts, and black, white, and brown intricate top of their bodies.
Habitat and Behavior: Found throughout much of North America, excluding the southwest. They like open area grasslands, prairies, and marshes. Will hunt in the daytime, staying low to the ground, and may also hunt near dawn and dusk.
Diet: The Short-eared Owl mainly eats small rodents.
What does a Short-eared Owl sound like?
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) · alarm call
Hannu Varkki
Säräisniemi, Vaala, Kainuu, Finland
More Short-eared Owl Facts
Western Screech-owl
- Megascops kennicottii
- Size: 10″ (25 cm)
Identification and Color: Small with a stocky body. They have square heads, short tails, and short ear tufts. Colors mimic camouflage, and they are grey, brown, and reddish all over with complicated patterns. They have yellow eyes that blend in with their colors.
Habitat and Behavior: Common in the west and northwestern coastline. Will live in forests, canyons, and areas at high elevations. Also tolerant of people and may be seen near suburbs or parks.
Diet: The Western Screech owl will hunt for large insects and small mammals.
What does a Western Screech Owl sound like?
Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) · call
Lance A. M. Benner
Rubio Canyon, Altadena, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, California
More Western Screech Owl Facts
Conclusion
Owls in Texas play an important role in the state’s ecosystems. They provide essential services like pest control and they act as indicators of the health of the environment. Although the owl populations in Texas have been declining, there is still hope for their future. With continued conservation efforts and increased awareness of the importance of these birds, we can help ensure that Texas’ owl populations remain healthy and strong for years to come.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other articles about birds in Texas:
