Owls Nesting in Arizona: A Field Guide to Finding and Identifying Nests

1. What Are the Most Useful Nesting Signals for a Beginner?

The quickest clue is **whitewash** – dried droppings splattered on tree trunks, rocks, or fence posts below a likely perch. Follow the whitewash upward and you might spot a nest cavity. Another signal is **pellets**: owls regurgitate indigestible fur and bones, so finding a pile of gray, cigar-sized pellets under a tree means an owl roosts there. Listen for **begging calls** – young owls make a loud, raspy "shhhh" or screech at dusk. I learned this the hard way after walking past a saguaro with a nesting Great Horned Owl for weeks.

2. Where Do Owls Typically Nest in Arizona?

Owls in Arizona use a variety of spots. **Great Horned Owls** often take over old hawk nests in cottonwoods along rivers or on cliff ledges. **Western Screech-Owls** and **Whiskered Screech-Owls** prefer natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes in sycamores and oaks. **Burrowing Owls** nest underground in abandoned prairie dog or ground squirrel burrows, mainly in grasslands and agricultural areas. For a great primer on Arizona owls, check out ourArizona wildlife hub. Nesting sites vary by elevation, so start with the habitat near you.

3. When Is Owl Nesting Season in Arizona?

Most Arizona owls nest from **late February through June**, but timing shifts with elevation and species. Great Horned Owls are early – they may lay eggs in February. Screech-owls follow in March-April. Burrowing Owls nest later, often peaking in May. The best window to see active nests is **April and May**, when adults are bringing food and young are vocal. I've found that early morning (just after sunrise) and dusk are the most reliable times to hear begging calls. See our dedicated page onowl nesting in Arizonafor a month-by-month calendar.

4. How Can You Identify an Active Owl Nest?

An active nest often has a parent sitting tight during the day – a lump of feathers blending into a branch or cavity. Listen for the soft warbling or clucking of the female as she calls to the male. At dusk, watch for food deliveries. You'll also see fresh whitewash and pellets accumulating below. A practical field note: if you see a single owl perched near a hole and it doesn't flush immediately, that's a strong sign of a nest. Binoculars help: ourowl species pagehas identification tips for each Arizona species.

See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.

5. What Are the Best Locations to Observe Nesting Owls in Arizona?

Top spots include: **Sabino Canyon** (Tucson) for screech-owls and Great Horned Owls, **Boyce Thompson Arboretum** for Whiskered Screech-Owls, and **the grasslands near Sonoita** for Burrowing Owls. **South Mountain Park** in Phoenix has Great Horned Owls nesting on cliff ledges. Always respect nesting birds: stay at least 100 feet away and avoid loud noises. For more on Arizona's best wildlife viewing areas, browse ourart prints– many feature owls and their habitats.

6. Owl-Themed Gifts to Celebrate Your Sightings

After a successful owl nest outing, bring a piece of the experience home with these carefully selected items:

### Handcrafted Stoneware Owl Mug | Guatemalan Coffee Cup, 16 oz

This hand-molded ceramic mug features a warm cream tone with an adorable folk art owl design. Perfect for your morning coffee while planning your next outing.Check Price and Availability

### Cute Animals Sticker Pack | Owl, Koala, Racoon, and More [![Cute Animals Sticker...