Owls in Colorado: Identification Guide and Where to Start Looking
Owls do show up in Colorado, and the best first step is matching habitat, timing, and recent local conditions. Start with the state wildlife hub, compare likely cover and movement windows, use the animal facts page for field marks, and plan one realistic route before heading out.
Owls do show up in Colorado, and the best first step is matching habitat, timing, and recent local conditions. Start with the state wildlife hub, compare likely cover and movement windows, use the animal facts page for field marks, and plan one realistic route before heading out.
1. What are the most common owls found in Colorado?
Colorado hosts about a dozen owl species regularly. The most frequently seen are the Great Horned Owl (large, with ear tufts and yellow eyes), the Barn Owl (pale with a heart-shaped face), and the Burrowing Owl (small, long-legged, lives in ground burrows). Other regulars include the Eastern and Western Screech-Owls, the Northern Pygmy-Owl, and the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Each has distinct markings and habits that make identification easier once you know what to look for.
See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
2. How can you identify owls by their field marks?
Focus on four key traits: size, ear tufts, eye color, and facial disc shape. Great Horned Owls are large (18-25 inches) with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes. Barn Owls are medium-sized with a white, heart-shaped face and dark eyes. Burrowing Owls are small (8-10 inches) with long legs and spotted brown and white feathers. Screech-Owls are small with ear tufts and yellow eyes, but their gray or reddish color varies. The Northern Pygmy-Owl (6-7 inches) has yellow eyes, no ear tufts, and a long tail.
See ourOwls guidefor the next step.
3. Where in Colorado are you most likely to see owls?
Great Horned Owls are statewide in forests, canyons, and even suburban parks. Barn Owls prefer open grasslands and agricultural areas, especially in eastern Colorado. Burrowing Owls stick to shortgrass prairies and can be seen near prairie dog towns. In the mountains, look for Northern Pygmy-Owls in pine forests and Northern Saw-whet Owls in dense conifer stands. The best single spot for variety is the Colorado Springs area, where foothills, plains, and canyons meet.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What is the best time of year to spot owls in Colorado?
Winter (November through February) offers the best odds because leaves are down and owls are more active in shorter days. Late winter is also breeding season for Great Horned Owls, and you might hear their hooting at dusk. However, Burrowing Owls are only present from April to September. For most species, the prime time is dawn or dusk (crepuscular hours) when they begin hunting. A calm, overcast evening can improve your chances.
5. How can you tell a Great Horned Owl apart from a Long-eared Owl?
Both have ear tufts, but Great Horned Owls are much larger (body length 18-25 inches vs. 13-16 inches for Long-eared). Great Horned Owls have yellow eyes, while Long-eared Owls have orange-yellow eyes. Long-eared Owls have a more slender, streaked body and a facial disc that is more vertically oriented. They also tend to roost in dense tree stands, while Great Horned Owls like open perches.
6. What gear or preparation helps with owl identification?
A good pair of binoculars (8x or 10x) is essential. A field guide like the Sibley Guide to Birds is reliable. For nighttime, a red-filtered flashlight won't disturb owls. If you want to record calls, a simple voice recorder or smartphone app works. For a lasting memory of your sightings, many birders enjoy collecting art or items that remind them of their favorite species.
7. Where can you find owl-themed gifts or decor after your trip?
Once you've had a great sighting, you might want to bring a piece of that experience home. Easy Street Markets offers a handpicked selection of owl-themed items. For example, theHandcrafted Stoneware Owl Mugis a warm cream ceramic mug with a folk art owl design, perfect for morning coffee. TheCute Animals Sticker Packincludes a simple line-art owl sticker great for journals. TheWild Animal Magnet Setfeatures a woodland owl magnet with a rustic wood grain background. You can also browse ourbird wall artfor prints and decor.
8. What resources can help you plan an owl-spotting trip in Colorado?
Start with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for local checklists and seasonal alerts. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird app shows recent sightings. Local birding groups on Facebook often share locations. For a guided experience, consider joining a winter owl walk at places like Barr Lake State Park or Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. For a quick planning tool, check our travel widget below.
9. Frequently Asked Questions about owls in Colorado
**Can you see owls during the day in Colorado?** Yes. Burrowing Owls are diurnal, and Great Horned Owls sometimes hunt in late afternoon. But most are nocturnal. **Do snowy owls visit Colorado?** Rarely in winter, mostly in the northern plains. **Are there owls in Denver city parks?** Yes, Great Horned Owls nest in City Park and Washington Park. **What does a Colorado owl sound like?** Great Horned Owls hoot a deep series of 4-5 notes. Barn Owls hiss and screech. Screech-Owls give a soft trill or whinny.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.