Owls in Florida: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them
Yes, Florida is home to several owl species year-round. For the best chance of spotting one, focus on wooded areas near water at dawn or dusk. Great horned, barred, and eastern screech owls are the most common. This guide covers where to look, when to go, and how to tell them apart.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Snowy Owl · Marie Hosch CC BY
Eastern Screech-Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
- 8
- species recorded
- 284,075
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- April, May, March
- peak months
What owl sound like
Verified field recordings from Xeno-canto. Press play to hear the calls birders listen for in the field.
Northern Saw-whet Owl · alarm call, wail
0:05Bridgeport State Park, Okanogan County, Washington · © Bruce Lagerquist CC BY-NC-SA · XC450314
Burrowing Owl · call
0:05Calipatria, Imperial County, California · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC143782
Elf Owl · call
0:06Riverside, California · © Tim Schreckengost CC BY-NC-SA · XC135243
Verified species, source iNaturalist
7 types of owls recorded in Florida
7 owl species have a verified observation record in Florida across the owl order (Strigiformes), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Plus 1 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
15,382 verified observations on iNaturalist of owl have been recorded in Florida, most often in April, May, March.
When owl are recorded in Florida
Yes, Florida is home to several owl species year-round. For the best chance of spotting one, focus on wooded areas near water at dawn or dusk. Great horned, barred, and eastern screech owls are the most common. This guide covers where to look, when to go, and how to tell them apart.
1. Where in Florida are owls most likely to be seen?
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 ourFlorida 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 thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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.
2. What is the best season and time of day for owl spotting?
**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.
3. How can I identify Florida's owls compared to similar species?
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 ourowl species page. Never confuse a hawk for an owl: owls have a rounded head and forward-facing eyes.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What other owl species can be found in Florida?
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 ourFlorida wildlife hub.
5. How can I plan my owl spotting trip in Florida?
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.
6. What are some great owl-themed items for owl lovers?
After a successful spotting trip, you might want to bring a piece of that experience home. Check out these handpicked finds from Easy Street Markets.
Handcrafted Stoneware Owl Mug | Guatemalan Coffee Cup, 16 oz
This folk art mug is a cheerful reminder of your owl adventures. Hand molded ceramic with a warm cream finish and colorful owl design. Perfect for your morning coffee.Check Price and Availability
Cute Animals Sticker Pack | High Quality Water Resistant Stickers
Simple line art owl sticker on matte vinyl. Great for journals, laptops, or gear.Check Price and Availability
Wild Animal Magnet Set 3D Gold Lion Tiger
Woodland owl magnet with rustic wood grain background. Handmade in the USA.Check Price and Availability
ANTHROPOLOGIE Woodland Owl Glazed Stoneware 15oz Mug
A beautifully glazed stoneware mug featuring a woodland owl motif.Check Price and Availability
For more art and decor, browse ourbird wall art collection.
7. Frequently Asked Questions about Owls in Florida
**Are owls common in Florida?** Yes. Florida has a healthy population of several owl species, especially in rural and suburban areas with trees. **What is the most common owl in Florida?** The barred owl is probably the most frequently heard and seen due to its tolerance of humans. **Can I see owls during the day?** Most owls are nocturnal, but burrowing owls and occasionally short-eared owls hunt during daylight. **Do owls migrate?** Most Florida owls are year-round residents, though short-eared owls migrate south for the winter. **How can I attract owls to my yard?** Install a nest box (plans available online) and avoid using rodenticides.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see owl in Florida: April, May, March
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your owl sighting in Florida
284,075 verified owl records have been logged in Florida, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Biscayne National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Canaveral National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Dry Tortugas National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Everglades National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Gulf Islands National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Everglades NP (Please consider using more specific locations) · 363 species recorded
- Fort De Soto Park · 357 species recorded
- St. Marks NWR (Please consider using a more specific hotspot) · 352 species recorded
- Merritt Island NWR (Please consider using more specific locations) · 348 species recorded
- Lake Apopka North Shore--Orange County Section (please consider using more specific locations) · 346 species recorded
- Gulf Islands National Seashore--Fort Pickens · 335 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Frequently asked questions
What owl species live in Florida?+
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 ourFlorida 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 thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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.
Where can you see owls in Florida?+
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 ourFlorida 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 thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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.
When is the best time to see owls in Florida?+
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 ourFlorida 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 thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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.
Keep exploring
More places to see owl
More wildlife in Florida