Owls of New York State: 13 Species You Might Encounter

Resident & Regular Breeders

• Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) – Ubiquitous, powerful, "hoot owl."
• Barred Owl (Strix varia) – "Who cooks for you?" call; woods near water.
• Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) – Small, camouflaged, trilling call; suburbs/parks.
• Barn Owl (Tyto alba) – Open farmland, grasslands; declining; heart-shaped face.

Northern / Boreal Visitors (Winter/Irruptive)

• Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) – Arctic breeder; irrupts south in winter (coastal dunes, airports).
• Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) – Diurnal, long-tailed; rare winter visitor.
• Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) – Tall, phantom of boreal forest; very rare.
• Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) – Tiny, secretive; high-elevation conifers.

Migratory / Uncommon

• Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) – Communal winter roosts; dense conifers.
• Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) – Ground-nester; grasslands/marshes; diurnal hunter.
• Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) – Tiny, migratory; banded heavily in fall.

Note

List includes 12 distinct species (Barred & Great Horned listed twice in source). All documented in NY. Best seen/heard at night; use eBird for recent sightings.