10 Owl Species Found in Illinois

Illinois hosts a diverse owl community, from year-round residents to rare winter visitors:

1. Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
2. Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)
3. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
4. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
5. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
6. Barred Owl (Strix varia)
7. Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa)
8. Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
9. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) — irruptive winter visitor
10. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) — rare, mostly western IL

Habitat ranges from urban parks (Screech, Great Horned) to grasslands (Short-eared) and mature forests (Barred).