Owls in Florida: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them

Owls in Florida favor habitats with a mix of trees and open spaces for hunting. Start with state parks and wildlife refuges that have mature forests near wetlands. The Everglades, Paynes Prairie Preserve, and Ocala National Forest are reliable spots. Barred owls often hang around cypress swamps, while great horned owls prefer pine flatwoods. For a full list of prime locations, check our Florida birding guide.

In Florida, 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.

Winter (December through February) offers the best odds because leaves are thinner and owls are more active during shorter days. Dawn and dusk are peak activity windows, especially the hour after sunset. Listen for calls first: barred owls say “Who cooks for you?” and great horned owls give a deep hoot. Late winter also brings mating calls, making them easier to locate.

Focus on size, ear tufts, and eye color. Great horned owls are large (up to 25 inches) with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes. Barred owls are slightly smaller, no ear tufts, with brown eyes and vertical barring on the chest. Eastern screech owls are tiny (8 inches) with ear tufts and either gray or red morph. Compare with the larger great horned owl on our owl species page. Never confuse a hawk for an owl: owls have a rounded head and forward-facing eyes.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Besides the three main species, Florida hosts burrowing owls in open prairies (especially around Cape Coral), short-eared owls in winter at marshes, and the rare barn owl (pale, heart-shaped face) in agricultural areas. Burrowing owls are active during the day, making them easier to spot. For more details, see our Florida wildlife hub.

Use the widget above to find lodging and guided tours near top owl habitats. Many state parks offer ranger-led night hikes during the winter. Bring binoculars and a red flashlight to avoid disturbing the birds.