8 Owls in Tennessee (ID Guide With Pictures)
Embark on a journey with me into the twilight realm of the Owls in Tennessee. I’ve researched these silent-winged sentinels, uncovering secrets from the Great Horned to the Eastern Screech-Owl. In Tennessee’s wilds, they reign with ghostly calls and mystical allure.
Each species, a marvel, thrives in forests, fields, and wetlands. Discover their world, their lives intricately woven into nature’s tapestry, echoing with the hoot of the long-eared owl at dusk. Marvel at their diversity, their existence a testament to nature’s splendor. Flow me, and let’s unveil the mysteries of Tennessee’s owls together.
Here we’ll learn about 9 different types of 9 Owls in Tennessee
1. Great Horned Owl
- Scientific name: Bubo virginianus
- Life span: 25 – 50 years
- Size: 43 to 64 cm
- Weight: 1200 to 1600 g
- Wingspan: 91 to 153 cm
- Status: Least Concern
Let’s talk about the Great Horned Owls in Tennessee, a big bird that lives in Tennessee all year round. You can spot it by its size and the cool tufts on its head that look like horns.
Firstly, this owl, larger than the northern saw-whet owl, is the biggest one that makes its home in Tennessee. It has a wingspan as wide as 5 feet—that’s as tall as some people! Plus, it has strong claws and a sharp beak, making it a top hunter.
Secondly, female owls are usually bigger than male owls. This makes the females especially impressive when they fly.
Moreover, these owls are pretty chill about where they live. Also, They can make a home in forests, open fields, or even cities. female owls pick high spots like trees or cliffs to set up their nests, but they don’t make the nests themselves. Instead, they use old nests left by other big birds or even squirrels, mimicking the adaptable nature of the short-eared owl.
Lastly, Great Horned Owls eat all sorts of things, from small animals to other birds, and they’re not scared of skunks either. They have super night vision and hearing, which helps them hunt in the dark. And if you listen on a quiet winter or spring night, you might hear their deep “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” sound. That’s them talking to each other during their mating season.
Here is a visual representation of the eastern screech owl. Great Horned Owl’s distinguishing features: are yellow eyes and the fact that the female is larger than the male.
| Feature: the northern saw-whet’s distinctive call differs significantly from the hoot of the larger owls. | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | The largest owl nesting in Tennessee |
| Plumage | Brown and tan feathers with distinctive feather tufts |
| Wingspan | Up to 5 feet |
| Habitat: diverse, ranging from the open areas preferred by the short-eared owl to the dense woodlands favored by the long-eared owl. | Forests, fields, and urban areas |
| Nesting | Utilizes abandoned nests of other large birds or squirrel nests |
| Diet | Mammals, birds, reptiles, and skunks |
2. American Barn Owl
- Scientific name: Tyto furcata
- Life span: 10 years
- Size: 34 to 38 cm
- Weight: 400 to 600 g
- Wingspan: 29 to 36 cm
- Status: Least Concern
American Barn Owl is pretty cool and lives all over North America, including places like Tennessee. They’re super good at fitting in, thanks to their brown feathers, which helps them sneak up on their favorite snacks—little critters like mice—without being seen.
These owls are like night-time superheroes. They’ve got amazing eyes and ears that help them find food in the dark. Plus, they fly without making a peep, so they’re really sneaky hunters.
Now, about where they live: Barn Owls like cozy spots like holes in trees or old buildings. But when those are hard to find, they’re smart enough to use owl boxes that people put up for them. These boxes are like little houses that give the owls a safe place to chill and raise their babies.
Owl Boxes
Owl boxes have become an increasingly popular conservation tool to enhance breeding success for owl species, including the American Barn Owl. These boxes are purpose-built shelters that mimic the natural nesting sites, providing a haven for these nocturnal birds.
| Benefits of Owl Boxes | Reasons for Using Owl Boxes |
|---|---|
| 1. Increase nesting opportunities | 1. Limited natural cavities |
| 2. Protection from predators | 2. Provide safe nesting sites |
| 3. Aid in population conservation | 3. Enhance breeding success |
Owl boxes are super handy. They’re set up where owls like to hang out, making it easy for them to find a home. These boxes help a lot of owls and keep nature in balance.
American Barn Owls are usually from North America, but they visit Canada too when it’s time to have baby owls. They’re really good at living in different places, which is why there are so many of them around.
Whether you’re watching these awesome birds or helping them out with a nest box, the American Barn Owl is cool and worth looking after. They’re important for nature and just plain interesting to learn about!
3. Barred Owl
- Scientific name: Strix varia
- Life span: 8 years
- Size: 40 to 63 cm
- Weight: 610 to 1,150 g
- Wingspan: 96 to 125 cm
- Status: Least Concern
The Barred Owl is a cool bird you can spot in Tennessee. It’s not too big, not too small, and has awesome stripes of brown and white. Plus, it’s got these deep, dark eyes that make it look wise and mysterious.
What’s really special about it is its call. It sounds like a spooky laugh that goes down in pitch, and you can hear it in the woods at night. It’s one of those sounds that once you hear it, you never forget it.
Also, these owls are pretty smart about where they live. They like tree holes best, but they’re okay with moving into nests made by other birds. It shows how clever they are at making themselves at home, no matter where they are.
Comparison of Nest Sites
| Nest Sites | Barred Owl | Other Bird Species |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Hollows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Nests of Other Birds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Artificial Nest Boxes | ✗ | ✗ |
The Barred Owl’s ability to use the nests of other bird species demonstrates their adaptability and resourcefulness. They are known to take over old nests of birds such as hawks or crows, repurposing them for their own use. This behavior allows the Barred Owl to take advantage of existing structures, saving them time and energy in finding suitable nesting sites.
In conclusion, the Barred Owl is a magnificent owl species that adds to the charm and diversity of Tennessee’s birdlife. With its striking plumage, distinct call, and adaptable nesting habits, encountering a Barred Owl in the Tennessee wilderness is truly a memorable experience. Whether you spot one perched on a tree or hear it descending whiny in the distance, the Barred Owl is sure to leave a lasting impression.
4. Long-eared Owl
- Scientific name: Asio otus
- Life span: 10 to 27 years
- Size: 31 to 40 cm
- Weight: 160 to 435 g
- Wingspan: 86 to 102 cm
- Status: Least Concern
The Long-eared Owls in Tennessee are a bird that’s easy to find all over the world. Its brown and black feathers help it hide in pine trees. People often hear its call, which can travel through the forest for a mile.
These owls stick with one partner and start looking for a place to live in March. The male owl makes a lot of noise to keep others away, while the female looks for a good spot to settle down.
They’re smart about making homes, using old nests from other birds or tree holes. I’ve seen a nest like this close to where I live.
At night, these owls go to open spaces to hunt, mostly eating voles. If voles are hard to find, they’ll eat other small animals or birds.
Sadly, even though there are many Long-eared Owls, their numbers are going down because they’re losing their homes and sometimes get hit by cars.
But there’s good news too! They’re starting to live in more places around the world, so they’re not considered in danger right now.
5. Short-eared Owl
- Scientific name: Asio flammeus
- Life span: 12 years
- Size: 34 to 43 cm
- Weight: 206 to 475 g
- Wingspan: 85 to 110 cm
- Status: Least Concern
Short-Eared Owl is a common sight around the world, including in places like Tennessee. It’s known for its dotted brown feathers and short, black bill. Unlike most owls, it’s active during the day, hunting for food.
These owls are friendly and often seen in groups. They’re unique because they make their nests on the ground in open areas. They mostly eat voles, but they’ll switch to other small animals if they need to.
Sadly, their numbers are dropping because they’re losing their homes and sometimes get hit by cars. But they’re still not considered endangered because they live in many places. Also, They’re an important part of nature and really interesting to watch!
6. Northern Saw-whet Owl
- Scientific name: Aegolius acadicus
- Life span: 7 to 17 years
- Size: 17 to 22 cm
- Weight: 54 to 151 g
- Wingspan: 42 to 56.3 cm
- Status: Least Concern
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl, a tiny and elusive bird, is a North American native. Its round face with brown streaks and yellow eyes stands out. The owl’s name comes from its call, sounding like a saw being sharpened.
During March’s breeding season, these owls pair up, sometimes with more than one mate if there’s plenty of food. They nest in old woodpecker holes or nest boxes in the woods.
Their diet mainly includes small mammals like deer mice and voles, but near water, they’ll also eat bugs and frogs.
Sadly, their numbers are dropping because they’re losing places to live and facing competition for homes. They’re also at risk from bigger animals. But they’re still common and not endangered yet.
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7. Snowy Owl
- Scientific name: Bubo scandiacus
- Life span: 10 to 28
- Size: 52.5 to 64 cm
- Weight: 1706 to 2426 g
- Wingspan: 146 to 183 cm
- Status: Vulnerable
Let’s talk about the Snowy Owls in Tennessee, is a standout, especially with its pure white feathers. Males are mostly white, while females have dark spots, making them look elegant. They’re active day and night, which might be because of the long Arctic days and nights.
These owls travel far from their Arctic homes to where they spend the winter. They’re unpredictable, sometimes going really far south.
When it’s time to mate, the male Snowy Owl picks a spot in the tundra and does fancy flying to get a female’s attention. They don’t make a fancy nest; the female just scrapes a spot for her eggs.
Their food changes with the seasons. In winter, they hunt at night for small animals and birds. In summer, they eat lemmings, which are easy to find in the Arctic.
It’s hard to count them because they move around so much, but sadly, their numbers seem to be going down, probably because of climate change.
8. Eastern Screech-Owl
- Scientific name: Megascops asio
- Life span: 8 to 10 years
- Size: 16 to 25 cm
- Weight: 121 to 244 g
- Wingspan: 46 to 61 cm
- Status: Least Concern
The Eastern Screech-Owl is a friendly little bird that’s made itself right at home from the eastern U.S. to Mexico. It comes in two colors: reddish in the south and greyish in the north, blending perfectly with the local woods.
Mostly a loner, this owl pairs up in April for mating. They’re loyal, usually sticking with one partner, but sometimes males will have two mates in one season.
They’re smart hunters, living on the edge of woods and wetlands, munching mostly on insects and worms, but they won’t say no to a small mammal.
Also, These owls have learned to live with us humans, but they still face dangers like losing their homes and being hunted. It’s important to keep their forests safe so we can enjoy their company for a long time.
Where are find owls in Tennessee
Good areas to look for owls in Tennessee include:
- Cherokee National Forest
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
- Catoosa Wildlife Management Area
Final Thoughts:
Owls in Tennessee are a captivating part of the state’s wildlife. With their nocturnal habits and diverse habitats, observing these birds of prey can be a rewarding experience. From the large Great Horned Owl to the small Eastern Screech-Owl, each species has its unique features. Tennessee is home to a robust owl population that can be found across the state. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the magic of these magnificent birds in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is it good to have an owl in your yard?
Yes, owls in your yard can help control rodent populations by hunting them.
Q2. Which owl hoots at night?
Many owl species hoot at night, including the Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, and Barred Owl.
Q3. What owls are found in Tennessee?
Tennessee is home to various owl species, including the Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Barn Owl.
Q4. What time of night are owls most active?
Owls are typically most active during the late evening and early morning hours, especially around dusk and dawn.
