Are There Great Horned Owls in Alaska?

Yes, Great Horned Owls are widespread year-round residents throughout Alaska, from the southeastern panhandle to the interior boreal forests. These adaptable predators thrive in the state's vast wilderness, inhabiting coniferous forests, riparian corridors, and mixed woodlands. Alaska supports useful populations of this formidable nocturnal hunter across virtually all major regions.

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.

Great Horned Owl photographed in Alaska — Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.

Found in AlaskaPeak season right now

1
species recorded: 5,596
GBIF records: 6
birding hotspots: July, June, August
peak months

Yes, great horned owls are in Alaska. Next you'll want:

Real sighting data, source iNaturalist

200 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in Alaska, most often in July, June, August.

When great horned owl are recorded in Alaska

Where Great Horned Owls Are Found in Alaska

Great Horned Owls occupy virtually every forested region of Alaska, making them one of the state's most widespread raptors. In Southeast Alaska, including the Inside Passage and Tongass National Forest, owls inhabit the dense temperate rainforests and coastal spruce-hemlock stands. The boreal forests of interior Alaska, covering millions of acres from the Alaska Range northward, provide ideal habitat with abundant rodent prey and tall trees for nesting. Around major river systems including the Yukon, Kuskokwim, Copper, and Susitna rivers, Great Horned Owls hunt along riparian corridors where trees provide perches above water where fish and waterfowl sometimes supplement their diet. The relatively open spruce and birch forests of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands support resident populations, though the harsh climate limits densities. In western Alaska, pockets of suitable forest habitat in river valleys and coastal areas host Great Horned Owls. Even in the far north, where timber becomes stunted, some Great Horned Owls persist in willow thickets and dwarf forests along major watercourses. Rural communities and small towns throughout Alaska with mature trees, including those in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, support resident owls. The birds' ability to survive Alaska's extreme winters and hunt in near-perpetual darkness during that season makes them uniquely suited to the state's vast wilderness. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Alaskafor more.

Season and Timing in Alaska

Great Horned Owls in Alaska are permanent residents that remain in the state year-round, though some northern populations may shift southward in winter to areas with easier hunting. Breeding begins remarkably early, with pairs occupying nests and beginning egg incubation by February and early March, when snow still covers the ground and temperatures remain well below freezing. This early timing allows chicks to fledge by late spring and early summer when prey availability peaks. The breeding season runs from February through June, with intense territorial vocalization in late winter when males and females duet, their booming calls traveling great distances through still arctic air. Eggs typically hatch in April, and young fledge in June and July. Throughout summer, the extended daylight hours of the Alaskan night (with 24-hour daylight in the far north during June and July) present a paradox for a nocturnal predator, yet Great Horned Owls remain active and hunt during twilight hours and any darker periods available. Fall and winter see the return to more normal light-dark cycles. Winter presents the greatest survival challenge, with temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in interior regions. Snow depth and ice coverage affect rodent availability and hunting success. Despite these harsh conditions, Great Horned Owls remain throughout the state, having evolved physiological and behavioral adaptations for survival in the arctic and subarctic environment. Seethe Alaska wildlife guidefor more.

How to Identify a Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owls are Alaska's largest common owl and are unmistakable when observed directly. Adults stand 18 to 25 inches tall with wingspans reaching 60 inches or more, making them formidable in appearance. The most distinctive feature is the pair of prominent ear tufts that protrude from the top of the head, giving the species its name and appearing almost cat-like in expression. Alaska's Great Horned Owls tend toward darker plumage than southern populations, with many individuals appearing dark brown or russet-brown with heavy streaking that provides excellent camouflage in boreal forest shadows. The large forward-facing eyes are bright yellow, creating an intense, predatory appearance. The facial disc is rounded and relatively flat compared to some other owl species. Females are noticeably larger than males, sometimes weighing 25 percent more. In flight, Great Horned Owls appear stocky and powerful, with broad wings and a short tail. Their silhouette in flight is distinctive, and they can be identified by their large size and direct, powerful flight style. Juvenile owls lack the prominent ear tufts and appear brownish and fluffier than adults. The call is a series of deep hooting notes, typically four to five booms that sound like "hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo." In the quiet Alaskan wilderness, this call can carry for miles through the forest. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Where Sightings Concentrate in Alaska

Great Horned Owl sightings in Alaska concentrate in mature forest habitats with suitable nesting sites and abundant prey. The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, the largest temperate rainforest in North America, supports healthy populations in spruce and hemlock stands. River valleys throughout interior Alaska, particularly where spruce forests line major watercourses, concentrate owls where they hunt rodents and occasional fish or waterfowl. The Matanuska-Susitna Valley near Anchorage, with its mix of forest and open areas, hosts resident populations that are occasionally spotted near human settlements. State and national parks throughout Alaska, including Denali National Park in the interior, support populations though sightings are less frequent than in lower 48 forests. Chugach National Forest south of Anchorage provides accessible forest habitat where owls concentrate. Sitka National Historical Park in Southeast Alaska offers opportunities to observe owls in temperate rainforest setting. Group monitoring in several Alaskan towns has documented roosting sites where owls return repeatedly each winter, creating predictable viewing locations for dedicated owl watchers. The best locations for finding Great Horned Owls in Alaska involve visiting mature forest edges near openings and listening for calls during the breeding season. Look for roosting owls in tall spruce, hemlock, and birch trees during daylight. Evidence of owl presence includes cast pellets (indigestible material regurgitated by owls) beneath roosting trees and whitewash (droppings) on tree trunks and branches. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Alaskafor more.

Typical Behavior and Diet

Great Horned Owls in Alaska are fierce nocturnal predators that have adapted to the state's extreme environment. In winter, when prey becomes scarce, owls become increasingly active and may hunt during twilight hours when visibility is possible. Their primary diet consists of snowshoe hares and other large rodents that experience cyclical population explosions and crashes on roughly 10-year cycles. When hare populations peak, Great Horned Owl breeding success and population numbers increase dramatically. Squirrels, voles, mice, and lemmings are consumed when hares are unavailable. Ptarmigan and other birds supplement the diet, particularly during winter when mammals are scarce. Near water bodies, Great Horned Owls occasionally hunt ducks, geese, and fish. Their hunting strategy involves perching silently on high branches and listening for movement below, then diving at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour to capture prey. Their large, forward-facing eyes provide exceptional night vision, and their asymmetrical ear placement allows them to pinpoint prey sounds with remarkable accuracy even in complete darkness. Roosting behavior involves spending daylight hours perched in dense trees, often in sheltered locations that provide protection from wind and weather. During Alaska's summer months with 24-hour daylight, roosting becomes less prominent as the birds adapt to continuous activity. Winter roosting becomes more important for conserving energy during the extreme cold.

Coexistence and Safety

Great Horned Owls in Alaska pose no threat to humans and can be safely observed from appropriate distances. These owls do not attack people under normal circumstances, even when defending nests or young. Nesting material from Great Horned Owls occasionally includes human refuse and objects found near settlements, suggesting that some owls hunt near human activity without incident. Approaching active nests should be avoided to prevent disturbance during breeding season, particularly from February through June when eggs are present or chicks are being raised. If you encounter a young owl on the ground in spring or summer, it is likely a fledgling still being cared for by parents and should be left alone. Great Horned Owls are protected under federal law by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm, capture, or kill them. Alaska has no specific endangered or threatened status for Great Horned Owls, and populations remain healthy. Vehicle collisions can be a localized concern in areas where owls hunt along roads in valleys and near towns. Hunting regulations prohibit shooting of owls in all seasons. Habitat loss from logging in Southeast Alaska poses a potential long-term threat to local populations in that region, though the species' widespread distribution across most of the state buffers against localized impacts. Coexistence is straightforward: observe and enjoy these remarkable predators while maintaining respectful distance from nesting areas and recognizing their role as apex predators in Alaska's natural systems.

Species Confusion in Alaska

Several other owl species in Alaska might be confused with Great Horned Owls, though size and habitat use provide clear distinguishing features. The Barred Owl is less common than Great Horned Owls in Alaska but does occur, particularly in Southeast Alaska's temperate rainforest. Barred Owls lack ear tufts and have dark brown eyes rather than yellow. Their facial expression is rounder and less fierce. The Short-eared Owl occurs in open grasslands and tundra throughout Alaska and has only small ear tufts visible as low bumps on the head. Short-eared Owls hunt during daylight hours and over open country, quite different from the forest-dwelling Great Horned Owl. The Snowy Owl, an arctic specialty, is much larger and pure white in breeding plumage. Northern Hawk Owls, found in boreal regions of interior and northern Alaska, are medium-sized owls with a long tail and fierce expression but are much smaller than Great Horned Owls. Boreal Owls are tiny owls, only 7 to 10 inches tall, with an elongated shape and different facial pattern. Tengmalm's Owls (also called Boreal Owls) occur in Alaska and are similarly small. Eastern Screech-Owls do not occur in Alaska but would be tiny compared to Great Horned Owls. The Flammulated Owl is an extremely small western species that reaches Alaska only rarely. Size alone eliminates most potential confusion, with Great Horned Owls being Alaska's largest common owl in forested habitats. Ear tuft prominence, eye color, facial expression, and habitat use further distinguish Great Horned Owls from all other Alaskan species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the coldest temperature Great Horned Owls can survive in Alaska? Great Horned Owls remain year-round in interior Alaska where temperatures regularly drop below minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit and occasionally reach minus 50 degrees or colder. Physiological adaptations including dense feathering, metabolic heat production, and behavioral adjustments such as roosting in sheltered locations allow survival in these extreme conditions. How do Great Horned Owls hunt in Alaska during the summer's near-constant daylight? During June and July in northern Alaska, true 24-hour daylight occurs. Great Horned Owls have adapted to remain active during twilight hours and any darker periods, and their large eyes remain sensitive to low light levels that persist even during Alaska's midnight hour. Do Great Horned Owls migrate out of Alaska in winter? Most populations are year-round residents, though some northern birds may shift southward seasonally to areas with more accessible prey. Large-scale migration does not occur as it does in some southern populations. How can you hear Great Horned Owls calling in Alaska's remote areas? Visit mature forest habitat during the breeding season from February through April and listen carefully at dawn or dusk. In the quiet wilderness, owl calls can travel several miles. Recorded playback of owl calls can sometimes elicit responses, though this should be done respectfully to avoid excessive disturbance. Learn more about Alaska wildlife at/wildlife/alaska.

Plan your trip

Best time to see great horned owl in Alaska: July, June, August

See the month-by-month sighting calendar.

When to go

Plan your great horned owl sighting in Alaska

5,596 verified great horned owl records have been logged in Alaska, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Alaska

St. Paul Island · 326 species recorded
Gambell (general area) · 301 species recorded
Ketchikan (general area) · 281 species recorded
Gustavus (general area) · 277 species recorded
Mendenhall Wetlands SGR (general area) · 270 species recorded
Gustavus--Forelands · 256 species recorded

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

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