Are There Great Horned Owls in Arkansas?
Yes, Great Horned Owls are permanent residents throughout Arkansas, found in forests, swamps, and woodlands from the Ozark highlands to the Mississippi Delta. These large nocturnal predators thrive in the state's diverse forest habitats. Arkansas supports healthy populations of this powerful raptor across all regions and elevation zones.
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 · Eric Schmidt CC BY
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- 1
- species recorded
- 6,691
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- June, April, May
- peak months
Yes, great horned owls are in Arkansas. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
136 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in Arkansas, most often in June, April, May.
When great horned owl are recorded in Arkansas
Yes, Great Horned Owls are permanent residents throughout Arkansas, found in forests, swamps, and woodlands from the Ozark highlands to the Mississippi Delta. These large nocturnal predators thrive in the state's diverse forest habitats. Arkansas supports healthy populations of this powerful raptor across all regions and elevation zones.
Where Great Horned Owls Are Found in Arkansas
Great Horned Owls live throughout Arkansas in diverse forest habitats. The Ozark Mountains in northern Arkansas, including areas around Eureka Springs and the Buffalo National River, provide ideal habitat with dense deciduous and mixed forests offering nesting sites and abundant prey. The Ouachita Mountains in the west-central portion of the state support populations in similar mixed forest habitats. The Arkansas River Valley, running through the center of the state, provides riparian corridors with cottonwood and bottomland forests that concentrate owl populations. The Mississippi Delta region of eastern Arkansas, with its bottomland hardwood forests and swamp areas, provides prime habitat for Great Horned Owls. Specific areas include the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge and White River National Wildlife Refuge, which protect extensive wetland and forest habitats. Central Arkansas forests, including areas around Little Rock and Hot Springs, provide accessible woodland habitat to urban and suburban populations. The Red River drainage in southwestern Arkansas and the Ouachita River valley in south-central Arkansas provide productive hunting grounds. State forests and protected areas throughout Arkansas, including Hot Springs National Park and various state parks, maintain populations. Rural forests and agricultural areas with woodlots and riparian buffer strips support dispersed populations. The state's transition zone between northern deciduous forests and southern pine and hardwood mixtures provides suitable habitat throughout. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Arkansasfor more.
Season and Timing in Arkansas
Great Horned Owls in Arkansas are year-round residents that do not migrate. Breeding season begins very early, with pairs establishing territories and laying eggs by January and February. This early nesting timing allows young to fledge by late spring and early summer when prey populations are abundant. The intense territorial calling season runs from December through March, making winter the best time to hear owls. Pairs duet loudly during this period, with both males and females calling to establish and defend territory. Eggs typically hatch by March and April, with young fledging by June and July. Parents continue feeding fledglings well into summer and early fall. Throughout summer and fall, owls remain active but less vocal than during breeding season. Sightings are possible in all seasons, though owls are most easily located by sound during the breeding season when calling is frequent. The state's four-season climate provides year-round hunting opportunities, with seasonal changes in prey availability affecting owl diet and hunting patterns. Winter offers challenges including reduced prey visibility under snow cover, though freezing temperatures can force prey into more predictable locations and hunting becomes slightly more productive. Spring flooding in river valleys can temporarily displace prey and hunting owls to higher ground. Seethe Arkansas wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify a Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owls are Arkansas's largest common owl and are unmistakable when observed. Adults measure 18 to 25 inches tall with wingspans reaching 60 inches. The most distinctive feature is a pair of prominent ear tufts extending from the top of the head, giving the owl its characteristic horned appearance. Arkansas birds display coloration ranging from gray-brown to rust-brown, with darker streaking providing camouflage in forest shadows and tree bark. The facial disc is broadly rounded and relatively flat. The eyes are large, forward-facing, and bright yellow, creating an intensely fierce and predatory expression. A dark facial mask surrounds the yellow eyes. Females are noticeably larger than males, sometimes weighing 25 percent more. In flight, Great Horned Owls appear stocky and powerful with broad wings held relatively flat and a short tail. They fly with direct, purposeful wing beats quite different from the floppy flight of smaller owls. Juvenile owls lack prominent ear tufts and appear fluffier and browner than adults. Their expression is less fierce and their eyes appear larger relative to head size. The call is distinctive, a series of four to five deep hooting notes that sound like "hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo." This call is one of the most reliable identification features for the species and can carry for considerable distances through forest and swamp. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Arkansas
Great Horned Owl sightings in Arkansas concentrate in specific habitat types with suitable nesting and hunting conditions. The Ozark Mountains, particularly in areas with mature mixed forests and vertical relief, host concentrated populations accessible to observers. Buffalo National River provides accessible views of the Ozark forest that supports Great Horned Owls. The Mississippi River bottomlands and associated protected areas including Cache River and White River National Wildlife Refuges offer productive habitat and viewing opportunities. Swamp forests and bayou areas in the eastern part of the state concentrate owls in cypress-tupelo and bottomland hardwood habitats. Central Arkansas parks and protected areas, including Hot Springs National Park, provide accessible habitat near population centers. Rural forests with dense mature trees, particularly riparian areas along streams and rivers, concentrate owl populations. Suburban and urban parks with mature trees in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and other towns support accessible populations. The best viewing strategy involves visiting suitable habitat during breeding season from December through March and listening for territorial calling. Nocturnal visits to parks and forests during this period yield reliable sightings through sound alone. Daytime observations require searching dense evergreen or deciduous trees where roosting owls hide. Small songbirds mobbing owls during the day provide clues to roosting locations. Evidence of owl presence includes pellets (indigestible material regurgitated by owls) found beneath roosting trees and whitewash (droppings) visible on branches and tree trunks. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Arkansasfor more.
Typical Behavior and Diet
Great Horned Owls in Arkansas are fierce nocturnal predators with a diverse diet reflecting the state's rich mammalian and avian fauna. Cottontail rabbits and eastern fox squirrels provide substantial meals, particularly during fall and winter when these animals are abundant. Voles, mice, rats, and flying squirrels supplement the diet regularly. Opossums and raccoons are taken occasionally, and Great Horned Owls will even hunt skunks, gaining the nickname "the only animal that eats skunks." Waterfowl including ducks and geese provide seasonal prey, as do crows and other birds. The hunting strategy involves perching silently on prominent branches overlooking open areas and listening intently for prey movements. The owl's exceptional night vision and asymmetrical ear placement allow it to pinpoint prey with remarkable accuracy. Once located, the owl dives at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour, using powerful talons to capture prey. Great Horned Owls are fierce competitors for food and territory, and they will attack and kill other large birds of prey including Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks. Roosting behavior involves spending daylight hours perched in dense trees, typically in evergreen cover or in the deepest shadows available. During the day, owls remain relatively immobile, conserving energy and remaining inconspicuous. Solitary roosting is typical outside the breeding season, with only pairs showing social proximity.
Coexistence and Safety
Great Horned Owls in Arkansas 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. Respecting appropriate distance from nesting sites, particularly from January through June when eggs are present or chicks are being raised, prevents disturbance. If you encounter a young owl on the ground during late spring or summer, it is likely a fledgling still being cared for by parents and should be left completely alone. Great Horned Owls are protected under federal law by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm, capture, or kill them. Arkansas has no state threatened or endangered listing for Great Horned Owls, and populations remain stable and widespread. Vehicle collisions can occur where owls hunt along roadsides in valleys and rural areas, particularly during breeding season when activity levels increase. Rodent poison used for pest control can accumulate in owl tissues over time, potentially affecting health over the long term. This threat remains relatively minor compared to other causes of death. Habitat loss from forest clearing and swamp drainage reduces suitable habitat in some regions, though Arkansas still maintains extensive forest coverage. Coexistence is straightforward: enjoy observing these remarkable predators while maintaining respectful distance from nesting areas. Never use rodent poisons if you want to preserve healthy owl populations.
Species Confusion in Arkansas
Several other owl species occur in Arkansas and might be confused with Great Horned Owls, though careful observation reveals distinctive differences. The Barred Owl is Arkansas's second most common large owl and shares forest habitat with Great Horned Owls. Barred Owls lack ear tufts and have dark brown eyes rather than yellow. Their facial pattern is uniformly barred, and their facial expression is rounder and less fierce. Their hooting call sounds like "who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all," quite different from the Great Horned Owl's deeper booming call. The Short-eared Owl occurs in open grasslands and marshes and has only small ear tufts visible as low bumps on the head. Short-eared Owls hunt during daylight hours, very different from Great Horned Owls' nocturnal habits. The Long-eared Owl is smaller and more delicate, with longer ear tufts held more vertically and a more patterned, cryptic appearance. Long-eared Owls prefer dense woodland cover and are uncommon in Arkansas. Eastern Screech-Owls are tiny, only 7 to 10 inches tall, with ear tufts but occurring in different habitats. The Great Gray Owl is much larger but occurs extremely rarely if at all in Arkansas. Size alone eliminates most confusion, with Great Horned Owls being significantly larger than other Arkansas owl species.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Great Horned Owls most active in Arkansas? Great Horned Owls hunt primarily in the first few hours after sunset and again in the hours before dawn. They may be active throughout the night, but hunting activity peaks during twilight periods. What is the best season to observe Great Horned Owls in Arkansas? The breeding season from December through March offers the best viewing opportunities due to increased vocal activity and more predictable behavior. Winter weather in the Ozarks can be challenging for observers, but clear nights provide excellent hearing conditions for locating calling owls. Can Great Horned Owls coexist with other large raptors in Arkansas? Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks coexist throughout Arkansas, though they occupy different foraging niches and are active at different times of day. Great Horned Owls prey on other raptors including other owls, so competition and predation between species can occur. What is the population of Great Horned Owls in Arkansas? Population estimates for nocturnal predators are difficult to establish, but based on habitat availability and the species' widespread occurrence, Arkansas likely supports hundreds of breeding pairs distributed across the state's forests. Visit/wildlife/arkansasto learn more about Arkansas wildlife.
Plan your trip
Best time to see great horned owl in Arkansas: June, April, May
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your great horned owl sighting in Arkansas
6,691 verified great horned owl records have been logged in Arkansas, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Buffalo National River · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Hot Springs National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Pea Ridge National Military Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Fort Smith National Historic Site · Find hotels
- Bald Knob NWR · 301 species recorded
- Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery · 283 species recorded
- Holla Bend NWR · 283 species recorded
- Wapanocca NWR · 281 species recorded
- Lake Fayetteville · 269 species recorded
- Lake Sequoyah · 263 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent great horned owl sightings
- Home · 2026-07-19 06:19 · 2 seen
- Robinson house (private residence) · 2026-07-17 20:00 · 1 seen
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Rhinehart Rd, Pine Bluff, AR · 2026-07-16 08:10 · 1 seen
- Dolph · 2026-07-13 05:39 · 1 seen
- 140 Lee Road 239, Marianna, Arkansas, US (34.705, -90.693) · 2026-07-09 22:30 · 1 seen
More wildlife in Arkansas