Owls in Arkansas: Where to see them and how to identify them

Owls are fairly common across Arkansas, especially in wooded areas. The state hosts several resident species including barred owls, great horned owls, eastern screech-owls, and barn owls. Your best odds are in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, but owls also adapt to parks and suburban areas with large trees.

In Arkansas, owls sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Start with the Ozark National Forest and Ouachita National Forest. The Buffalo National River area and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail are reliable spots. Many state parks like Petit Jean State Park and Devil's Den State Park have mature hardwood forests that support good owl populations. Check out our Arkansas wildlife hub for more location tips.

Early morning and dusk are the most active times. In summer, owls may be active later into the night. Late winter (January March) is the breeding season for many owls, making them more vocal and easier to locate. Listen for calls 30 minutes after sunset. For more on owl behavior, see our owl identification guide.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Barred owls have brown eyes and horizontal barring on the chest. Great horned owls have yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts. Eastern screech-owls are small with ear tufts and come in gray and red morphs. Barn owls have a white heart shaped face and dark eyes. Pay attention to size, eye color, and call patterns. Walk quietly and use a flashlight sparingly.

Barred owls are slightly smaller, have brown eyes, and lack ear tufts. Their call is a series of hoots that sounds like "Who cooks for you?" Great horned owls are larger, have yellow eyes, and have prominent ear tufts. Their call is a deep, rhythmic hooting. Both species are nocturnal but barred owls are sometimes active during overcast days.