13 Types Of Owls In Arizona (With Pictures)
sAre you ready to explore the amazing world of Owls In Arizona? From the big Great Horned Owl to the tiny Elf Owl, these birds live in many places like deserts, canyons, and forests. We’ll look at each owl’s special traits, habits, and how they’re doing in the wild. You’ll see beautiful pictures to help you spot them yourself.
~Common Owl Species Found In Arizona~
- Great Horned Owl
- Barn Owl
- Flammulated Owl
- Whiskered Screech Owl
- Northern Saw-Whet Owl
- Western Screech Owl
- Long-Eared Owl
- Northern Pygmy Owl
- Elf Owl
- Burrowing Owl
- Spotted Owl
- Short-Eared Owl
- Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
1. Great Horned Owl
- Scientific name – Bubo virginianus
- Lifespan – 28 (maximum recorded)
- Size – 17 to 25 inches
- Weight – 2.6 to 3.5 lb
- Wingspan – 3 to 5 foots
The great horned owl is a large and powerful raptor with distinctive tufted ears. It has a mottled gray-brown and pale coat, with a reddish-brown or gray facial disc and a white throat patch. This owl is the most widespread true owl in the United States, including Arizona.
Habitat and Nesting
Great horned owls live in many places, like forests, canyons, deserts, cities, and grasslands. They nest in tree hollows, on cliff ledges, or in human-made structures like barns and old buildings.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
These owls eat a wide variety of mammals, birds, and small vertebrates. They are stealthy and powerful hunters, using their night vision and hearing to catch prey.
Conservation Status and Threats
Great horned owl populations have decreased due to hunting and pesticide poisoning. But, they are protected by laws in the United States. Conservation efforts are in place to help them survive.
2. Barn Owl
- Scientific name – Tyto alba
- Lifespan – 25 years (captivity: maximum recorded)
- Size – 13 to 15 inches
- Weight – 8 to 25 oz
- Wingspan – 31 to 37 inches
The barn owl has a unique heart-shaped face and pale, speckled feathers. It is a medium-sized owl that lives at night. You can find it in many parts of the United States, including Arizona. It likes open areas like countryside, grasslands, farmlands, and woodland edges.
Barn owls eat mostly small rodents like voles. They also eat insects, lizards, amphibians, and small birds. They make their homes in places like barns, old buildings, tree cavities, and other safe spots.
Even though barn owls are found all over the world, some places have fewer of them. This is because of habitat loss and pesticides that can harm them indirectly. In Arizona, they are common in places with farms but rare in the high mountains and forests.
3. Flammulated Owl
- Scientific name – Psiloscops flammeolus
- Lifespan – 8 years (maximum recorded)
- Size – 6 to 7 inches
- Weight – 1.5 to 2 oz
- Wingspan – 14 to 16 inches
The flammulated owl is known for its unique flame-like wing pattern. It’s a small, hard-to-spot owl found in Arizona. It has a mix of dark brown, gray, buff, and white feathers, helping it blend into the forest.
This owl lives in mature mountain forests. It makes its home in tree cavities, often taking over nests left by other birds.
Habitat and Nesting
Flammulated owls of Arizona live in parts of Canada, the western United States, and Mexico. In Arizona, they’re common in the summer, especially where there are oak trees and some undergrowth. They like forests with a mix of oaks.
They don’t like living in areas with only ponderosa pine or where the forest has been heavily cut down. They prefer certain types of habitats.
Diet and Behavior
Flammulated owls mainly eat moths, catching them in mid-air with their beaks or claws. They’re great hunters for their size, moving through the forest at night to find food.
These owls are active at night, doing most of their hunting then.
4. Northern Saw-Whet Owl
- Scientific name – Aegolius acadicus
- Lifespan – 16 years (captivity)
- Size – 7 to 9 inches
- Weight – 2.2 to 5.4 oz
- Wingspan – 17 to 22 inches
The northern saw-whet owl is small and fascinating in North America. It has a big, round head and rich brown feathers with white spots and streaks. These owls are common in Arizona’s forests, especially in the mountains.
Description and Identification
Northern saw-whet owls are smaller than a hairy woodpecker but bigger than an eastern screech owl. They don’t have ear tufts and their faces are pale, with bright yellow eyes. Young owls have a creamy yellow chest, while adults have a mottled brown look with white spots on their heads.
Habitat and Nesting
These owls live in forests and breed in northern North America. They spend the winter in forests in the central and southern U.S., including Arizona. During the day, they hide in thick plants, usually near the base of evergreen trees.
Diet and Behavior
Northern saw-whet owls hunt at night, eating small rodents and insects. They make a high-pitched “too-too-too” sound in the evenings from January to May. Scientists use this sound to catch them for research in Project Owlnet, studying their migration.
5. Western Screech Owl
- Scientific name – Megascops kennicottii
- Lifespan – 13 (wild); 19 (captivity)
- Size – 7 to 10 inches
- Weight – 3.5 to 10.8 oz
- Wingspan – 21 to 25 inches
The western screech owl is a small owl found in the western United States, including Arizona. It has unique ear tufts and mottled brown or gray feathers. It also has a “V”-shaped pale eyebrow. This owl is known for its “bouncing ball” song and lives in woodlands and open areas, even in cities.
These owls like to nest in tree holes and will use backyard nest boxes. They eat a variety of things like worms, crayfish, small rodents, and bats. Owls in the Pacific Northwest are more rufous in color, while those in the Desert Southwest are grayer.
Western screech owls live up to 6,000 feet high but are mostly heard at night. Their night hunting and tolerance for people make them interesting to watch in Arizona’s cities and countryside.
6. Burrowing Owl
- Scientific name – Athene cunicularia
- Lifespan – 9 years
- Size – 7 to 11 inches
- Weight – 4.8 to 8.5 oz
- Wingspan – 20 to 24 inches
The burrowing owl is a small, long-legged bird with a round head. It has a white throat and eyebrows. It has dark brown feathers with white spots above and light underparts with dark bars. These owls are common in Arizona, living in grasslands, deserts, and open areas.
They are active during the day and night. They are more tolerant of carbon dioxide than many birds. They live in burrows made by animals like prairie dogs, fitting well with Arizona’s dry lands.
However, their homes are being destroyed by human development. They are considered a National Bird of Conservation Concern in the U.S. and are under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s protection. But, Arizona lacks enough protected land for these owls.
The Arizona Burrowing Owls Working Group is trying to help. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is studying their survival, movement, and where they live. People can help by joining the Burrowing Owl Site Clearance Workshop and supporting wildlife groups.
7. Elf Owl
- Scientific name – Micrathene whitneyi
- Lifespan – 3 – 6 years
- Size – 5 to 6 inches
- Weight – 1.4 oz
- Wingspan – 10.5 inches
Get ready to be amazed by the elf owl, the smallest raptor in the world! It’s only 5 inches tall and lives in the Sonoran Desert. It has soft gray and brown feathers, a plain brown face, and white eyebrows. This makes it a unique sight.
The elf owl lives in the southwestern United States, including parts of Arizona. It moves to Mexico for the winter. These owls love the desert and evergreen woods, often living in old woodpecker holes or saguaro cacti.
These small owls are great hunters. They eat moths, crickets, scorpions, and beetles. They even eat threadsnakes, bringing them back to their nests alive to feed on their parasites. Elf owls work together with their mates to protect their nests and babies from big predators.
Despite being small, elf owls can live up to 6 years in the wild. The oldest one lived 5 years and 10 months. But, they face a big threat of losing their homes, especially in California and Texas.
So, if you’re in the Sonoran Desert, look out for the elf owl. It’s a small but amazing part of nature.
8. Whiskered Screech-Owl
- Scientific name – Megascops trichopsis
- Lifespan – Unknown
- Size – 6 to 8 inches
- Weight – 2.4 to 4.2 oz
- Wingspan – 16 to 20 inches
The whiskered screech owl lives in the mountains of southeastern Arizona. It’s a small, gray owl with unique ear tufts and bright yellow-orange eyes. It stands out with its “V”-shaped pale eyebrows and a dark face border.
Description and Identification
This owl has thick, dark streaks on its pale belly. Its feathers help it hide in oak and pine forests. It’s medium-sized and has a round body.
Habitat and Behavior
It loves the high-altitude forests of Arizona’s mountains. At night, it hunts insects and small mammals from low spots. It uses its great night vision and silent flying to catch prey.
During breeding, it makes its home in tree holes, 5 to 7 meters up. The whiskered screech-owl is a unique bird in Arizona’s skies. Learning about it can help you see it on your next adventure in the Grand Canyon State.
9. Northern Pygmy-Owl
- Scientific name – Glaucidium californicum
- Lifespan – 3 years
- Size – 6 to 7 inches
- Weight – 2.1 to 2.5 oz
- Wingspan – 14 to 16 inches
The Northern Pygmy-Owl is a small raptor found in the western United States, including parts of Arizona. It has grayish-brown feathers and two big black “eyes” on its head. This tiny owl is only 5-7 inches tall, making it one of the smallest owls in North America.
These owls of Arizona live in different types of forests, like mountain pine-oak woods and coastal coniferous forests. In Arizona, they can be seen near saguaro cacti and palo verde trees in the Sonoran Desert.
Even though they are small, northern pygmy owls are great hunters. They eat birds, insects, reptiles, small mammals, and amphibians. They sit and wait for prey to come close before they strike with speed.
The global number of northern pygmy owls is stable, but those in the southwestern United States are facing threats. These threats include losing their homes, having their homes broken up, and invasive species. We need to protect their desert and forest homes to help them survive in Arizona and other places.
Characteristics of Owls
Owls stand out with their big heads, sharp claws, and silent flight. They have amazing night vision and hearing, helping them hunt in the dark. These skills make them great hunters in Arizona’s different ecosystems.
Tips for Spotting Owls
Seeing owls in Arizona can be exciting. To increase your chances, look for their hoots or silhouettes. Being patient and observant is key, as owls blend in well with their surroundings.
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Final Thoughts
Arizona is home to a wide variety of owl species, thanks to its diverse habitats. From the big Great Horned Owl to the tiny Elf Owl, each owl plays a key role in the state’s ecosystems. Learning about their unique traits and needs helps us appreciate and protect these amazing birds.
If you love birdwatching or just want to learn about Southwest wildlife, exploring Arizona’s owls is exciting. You can learn how to spot them and watch their hunting skills. This can make you feel closer to nature. With conservation efforts and a growing group of fans, the future of owls in Arizona looks bright.
As you explore Arizona’s birdlife, always be a respectful observer. Protect their homes and help them through science projects and eco-friendly actions. Together, we can make sure these incredible birds continue to live in the Southwest for years to come.
