Are There Great Horned Owls in Hawaii?
No, Great Horned Owls do not occur in Hawaii. This large continental North American owl has never established populations in the Hawaiian Islands. However, Hawaii has its own native owl species, the Pueo or Hawaiian Short-eared Owl, which fills a similar ecological role as a nocturnal predator in island ecosystems.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
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- GBIF records
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- birding hotspots
Great Horned Owls aren't established in Hawaii, so you might be wondering:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
Only 0 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been logged in Hawaii, which fits how rare they are in the state. That low number is itself the most honest answer to whether you are likely to see one here.
No, Great Horned Owls do not occur in Hawaii. This large continental North American owl has never established populations in the Hawaiian Islands. However, Hawaii has its own native owl species, the Pueo or Hawaiian Short-eared Owl, which fills a similar ecological role as a nocturnal predator in island ecosystems.
Why Great Horned Owls Are Absent from Hawaii
Great Horned Owls are found throughout the continental United States, Canada, Alaska, and Central and South America, but they have never naturally colonized the Hawaiian Islands. The species requires specific forest and woodland habitats available in vast abundance on the mainland but absent or very limited in Hawaii. Great Horned Owls breed very early, beginning territorial behavior and egg laying in November and December. This early breeding cycle is timed to prey availability on the mainland. The Hawaiian Islands, separated from the mainland by over 2,000 miles of open ocean, present a formidable barrier to the continental dispersal of a species that has never evolved oceanic dispersal mechanisms. The unique prey base of Hawaii, including endemic rodents, seabirds, and insects very different from mainland communities, would present challenges to a species specialized for hunting rabbits, squirrels, and other large rodents. The Hawaiian Islands' relatively recent colonization by birds compared to continental ecosystems, combined with the isolation that has produced the distinctive Hawaiian avifauna, means that Great Horned Owls never had the opportunity to adapt to island conditions. Introductions of Great Horned Owls to Hawaii have never been attempted, and such introductions would be ecologically problematic and legally prohibited, as Hawaiian ecosystems are carefully protected to preserve endemic species. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Hawaiifor more.
The Pueo: Hawaii's Native Owl
Hawaii's native owl, the Pueo, is a subspecies of the Short-eared Owl found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. The Pueo is smaller than the Great Horned Owl, measuring only 12 to 17 inches in length and weighing less than a pound compared to the 18 to 25 inches and two to three pound weight of Great Horned Owls. Like the Great Horned Owl, Pueo are nocturnal hunters, though they also hunt during daylight hours more frequently than Great Horned Owls do. Pueo inhabit open grasslands, lava fields, and relatively open woodlands throughout the Hawaiian Islands, hunting small rodents, insects, and occasionally seabirds. The Pueo's small ear tufts are visible only as low bumps on the head, quite different from the prominent ear tufts of Great Horned Owls. Pueo have golden-yellow or dark brown eyes and facial markings suited to their island habitat. The species holds cultural significance in Hawaiian tradition, where it is sometimes seen as an aumakua, or family guardian spirit. Pueo are less common today than historically, with populations declining due to habitat loss, rodent control programs that reduce prey, and occasional collisions with vehicles and power lines. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining Pueo populations and their grassland and open woodland habitats. Seethe Hawaii wildlife guidefor more.
Distinguishing Great Horned Owls from Pueo and Other Owls
Should a traveler from the mainland bring images or descriptions of a Great Horned Owl to Hawaii, understanding the differences between Great Horned Owls and Hawaii's actual owl species is valuable. The Great Horned Owl's most distinctive feature is its pair of large, prominent ear tufts extending upward from the head, giving the owl an alert, cat-like appearance. These ear tufts are dramatic and obvious at any distance when the owl is perched. The Pueo's ear tufts, in contrast, are small and appear only as low bumps on the head, barely visible unless the bird is perched very close. The Great Horned Owl's facial disc is relatively flat and not very distinctive. The Pueo has a more rounded, pale facial disc with dark patches that frame the eyes. The Great Horned Owl has bright yellow or orange eyes and an intensely fierce expression. The Pueo's eyes are golden-yellow to dark brown, set in a less fierce-looking face. The Great Horned Owl's overall body shape is stocky and useful, with a large rounded head. The Pueo is more slender and graceful, with a smaller, more delicate head. The Great Horned Owl hunts primarily at night from perches in forests and open areas. The Pueo hunts in open grasslands and lava fields, often during daylight hours. The Great Horned Owl's call is a deep hooting series. The Pueo's call is a high-pitched cackling. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Hawaii's Owl Habitats and Ecology
The Pueo inhabits a very different range of habitats from the Great Horned Owl. While Great Horned Owls live in forests, woodlands, riparian areas, and open fields throughout their vast range, Pueo are limited to the specific habitat types available in the Hawaiian Islands. Pueo inhabit open lava fields, where sparse vegetation provides minimal cover but allows clear sight lines for hunting. Grasslands throughout the Hawaiian Islands support Pueo populations, particularly in upland regions where rainfall supports grass growth. Mesic forests, areas with intermediate moisture, provide habitat in some locations. Coastal scrubland and shrub areas offer hunting opportunities. Pueo avoid the dense rainforests of windward slopes but may use forest edges. The elevational range of Pueo extends from sea level to over 7,000 feet on Maui and the Big Island, where they hunt in high-altitude grasslands. Each Hawaiian Island has its own Pueo population, though numbers vary with habitat availability. The overall Hawaiian Pueo population is estimated at 2,000 to 5,000 birds, a fraction of the Great Horned Owl's continental population numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Pueo ecology centers on hunting small rodents, particularly mice and rats, that were introduced to Hawaii by humans. Without natural predators in pre-human Hawaii, these introduced rodents became abundant, and Pueo adapted to hunting them extensively, creating a dependence on this introduced prey base.
Nocturnal and Crepuscular Hunting in Hawaiian Ecosystems
Both Great Horned Owls and Pueo are predators active during low-light conditions, though they differ in their specific activity patterns and hunting methods. Great Horned Owls hunt almost exclusively at night, beginning activity shortly after sunset and continuing until just before dawn. Their exceptional night vision and asymmetrical ear placement allow them to locate prey in complete darkness, hunting almost entirely by sound in some cases. Pueo, while nocturnal, hunt more frequently during twilight hours and occasionally during the day, a behavior less common in Great Horned Owls. The Pueo's hunting strategy in Hawaii's open grasslands and lava fields relies heavily on visual hunting from low perches or by quartering over open ground in low, fluttering flight. Pueo have adapted to the specific prey base and lighting conditions of the Hawaiian Islands. The Great Horned Owl's power-diving hunting strategy from high perches is adapted to mainland forest and woodland ecosystems where large rodents like rabbits and squirrels are the primary prey. The Pueo's more agile, lower-level hunting approach suits the smaller rodents and insects of Hawaii. Hawaii's relatively modest elevation variation compared to mainland mountains means that Pueo do not face the extreme seasonal variations in day length and prey availability that influence Great Horned Owl ecology in continental regions and Alaska. The Hawaiian Islands' tropical latitude means relatively consistent day lengths year-round, a stark contrast to mainland ecosystems.
Behavioral Differences Between Species
Great Horned Owls and Pueo show behavioral differences reflecting their different evolutionary histories and ecological roles. Great Horned Owls are highly territorial, defending large territories year-round with intense calling during the breeding season from November through June on the mainland. Pairs establish territories and begin breeding at times when mainland prey populations are concentrated by winter conditions, allowing early nesting to take advantage of spring prey abundance. Pueo show less intensely territorial behavior, though they do defend breeding territories. Pueo breeding timing is less rigidly fixed than mainland Great Horned Owls, with breeding potentially occurring in response to prey availability rather than following a strict annual calendar. Great Horned Owls roost in dense trees during the day, becoming nearly invisible in shadows and foliage. Pueo often roost in more open locations, relying on camouflage and vigilance rather than concealment. Great Horned Owls are fierce predators that will attack and kill other large birds of prey, including eagles and other owls, competing aggressively for food and territory. Pueo show less aggressive behavior toward other predators, partly because the small Hawaiian owl group includes fewer competing species. Social structure differs as well, with Great Horned Owls showing strong pair bonding and family groups, while Pueo may show more variable social behavior.
Conservation Status and Viewing Opportunities
While Great Horned Owls cannot be observed in Hawaii, the Pueo offers fascinating owl-watching opportunities for visitors to the Hawaiian Islands. Pueo populations have declined significantly from their historical numbers, particularly on the major islands. Historical habitat loss through conversion of grasslands and open lands to agriculture, urban development, and human settlement has reduced available Pueo habitat. Ongoing threats include rodent control programs using poisons and traps that reduce the Pueo's primary prey base, sometimes unintentionally poisoning Pueo that consume poisoned rodents. Vehicle collisions on roads crossing open habitat result in regular Pueo mortality. Power line collisions occur occasionally in some areas. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining grassland and lava field habitats and reducing rodent poison use in areas supporting Pueo populations. Visitors hoping to observe Pueo in Hawaii should visit open grasslands, lava fields, and scrubland habitats, particularly in upland regions. The best viewing times are during early morning hours or at dusk when Pueo may be more active. Making observations respectfully from a distance protects the birds and allows natural behavior. Pueo are relatively rare compared to their historical numbers, so patient searching and awareness of the species' habitat preferences increase viewing chances. Learning about the unique Pueo offers insight into how species evolve and adapt to island ecosystems, a very different context from the mainland Great Horned Owl.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaiian Owls
If I see an owl in Hawaii, could it be a Great Horned Owl? No, Great Horned Owls do not occur naturally in Hawaii and have never established populations on the islands. Any owl sighting in Hawaii is far more likely to be a Pueo, the native Hawaiian Short-eared Owl. Visiting mainland birders sometimes confuse unfamiliar island species with familiar mainland species, but the Pueo's distinctive characteristics make confusion unlikely with direct observation. What does Pueo mean and why does it matter in Hawaiian culture? Pueo is the Hawaiian name for the Short-eared Owl. In Hawaiian tradition, Pueo can represent an aumakua, a family guardian spirit that appears as an animal to watch over and protect family members. Respect for Pueo reflects this cultural significance and ecological importance. Can Great Horned Owls and Pueo coexist in the same ecosystem? Great Horned Owls do not occur in Hawaii where Pueo live, so this question is hypothetical. However, on mainland North America, Great Horned Owls and Short-eared Owls do coexist in some regions, occupying different niches through differences in habitat use and hunting strategy. Where can I observe Pueo in Hawaii? Open grasslands, lava fields, and scrub habitats throughout the Hawaiian Islands may host Pueo, particularly in upland regions. Learn more about Hawaii wildlife at/wildlife/hawaiiand explore/wildlife.
Plan your great horned owl sighting in Hawaii
There are no verified great horned owl records for Hawaii, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Hawaii
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Haleakalā National Park · Find hotels
- James Campbell NWR (restricted access) · 134 species recorded
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park · 117 species recorded
- Kealia Pond NWR · 116 species recorded
- Pearl Harbor NWR--Honouliuli Unit (restricted access) · 115 species recorded
- Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP--ʻAimakapā Pond · 114 species recorded
- James Campbell NWR--Kii Unit · 111 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).