🌿ESM

Are There Great Horned Owls in Maine?

Yes, Great Horned Owls are year-round residents throughout Maine, inhabiting boreal and mixed forests, river valleys, and mountains across the entire state. These large nocturnal predators thrive in Maine's vast forest ecosystems. Maine supports healthy populations of this formidable raptor from the coast to the interior wilderness.

T

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 photographed in Maine

Great Horned Owl · Judd Nathan CC BY-ND

Great Horned Owl photographed in Maine

Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0

Great Horned Owl photographed in Maine

Great Horned Owl · Richard Littauer CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Maine
1
species recorded
4,827
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots
April, May, September
peak months

Yes, great horned owls are in Maine. Next you'll want:

Real sighting data, source iNaturalist

65 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in Maine, most often in April, May, September.

When great horned owl are recorded in Maine

Yes, Great Horned Owls are year-round residents throughout Maine, inhabiting boreal and mixed forests, river valleys, and mountains across the entire state. These large nocturnal predators thrive in Maine's vast forest ecosystems. Maine supports healthy populations of this formidable raptor from the coast to the interior wilderness.

Where Great Horned Owls Are Found in Maine

Great Horned Owls occupy forested regions throughout Maine from coastal areas to the interior mountains. The northern boreal forests of Maine, including extensive spruce-fir forests in the interior, provide primary habitat. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine offers pristine forest habitat. Mountain regions including the Rangeley Mountains and areas around Mount Katahdin provide excellent habitat in mixed forests. Central Maine forests with mixed hardwood and softwood composition support populations. The Maine Woods, a vast largely undeveloped forest region, supports substantial owl populations. Riparian corridors along the Penobscot River, Kennebec River, Androscoggin River, and other major watercourses provide critical habitat. Coastal forests and river valleys near the Atlantic provide habitat in maritime regions. Urban and suburban parks with mature trees throughout Portland, Bangor, Augusta, and other cities support resident populations. Private woodlands and protected lands throughout Maine support populations. The state's predominantly forested character provides extensive suitable habitat across all regions. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Mainefor more.

Season and Timing in Maine

Great Horned Owls in Maine are year-round residents, though northern and high-elevation populations may show downslope or southward movement in response to severe winter conditions. Breeding begins very early, with pairs establishing territories in November and December and laying eggs by January and February. This remarkably early timing allows young to fledge by late spring when prey populations peak. The breeding season runs from November through June, with the most intense territorial calling occurring in December and January when weather is harsh. Eggs typically hatch in February and March, and young fledge by May and June. Fledglings remain dependent on parents through summer. Throughout summer and fall, owls remain active but less vocal. Maine's harsh winters present significant survival challenges, with snow and cold reducing prey visibility and increasing energy demands. Spring and summer flooding along major rivers temporarily displaces some prey. Autumn provides excellent conditions for owl activity. Seethe Maine wildlife guidefor more.

How to Identify a Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owls are Maine's largest common owl and distinctively recognizable. Adults measure 18 to 25 inches tall with wingspans reaching 60 inches or more. The most distinctive feature is a pair of prominent ear tufts extending from the top of the head. Maine's Great Horned Owls typically display darker plumage than southern populations, with gray-brown to russet-brown coloring and heavy streaking providing camouflage in forest shadows. The facial disc is relatively flat and broadly rounded. The eyes are large, forward-facing, and bright yellow, creating an intensely fierce expression. A dark facial mask surrounds the yellow eyes. Females are noticeably larger than males, sometimes weighing 30 to 35 percent more. In flight, Great Horned Owls appear stocky and powerful with broad wings and a short tail. Juvenile owls lack prominent ear tufts and appear fluffier and browner. The call is distinctive, a series of deep hooting notes echoing through Maine's forests. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Where Sightings Concentrate in Maine

Great Horned Owl sightings in Maine concentrate in forested habitats and protected areas. Baxter State Park in north-central Maine provides accessible mountain and forest habitat. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway offers remote but excellent habitat. Maine's vast state forests throughout the interior provide extensive opportunities. Acadia National Park provides coastal habitat with forest. University properties and research forests support populations. Urban parks with mature trees throughout Portland, Bangor, and other cities provide accessible viewing. State parks and protected areas throughout Maine host populations. River valleys offer productive habitat. The best viewing strategy involves visiting forests during breeding season from November through March and listening for territorial calling. Early morning before dawn or at dusk offers the best chances to hear calling owls. Nocturnal visits during breeding season yield reliable sightings. Daytime observations require searching dense trees. Visit/wildlife/mainefor wildlife viewing opportunities.

Typical Behavior and Diet

Great Horned Owls in Maine are fierce nocturnal predators with diets reflecting the state's northeastern fauna. Snowshoe hares are the primary prey in boreal forests, with populations experiencing cyclical booms and busts on roughly 10-year cycles. When hares are abundant, Great Horned Owl breeding success increases dramatically. Cottontail rabbits supplement the diet in lower elevations and southern areas. Squirrels including red squirrels, flying squirrels, and tree squirrels are taken regularly. Voles, mice, rats, and other rodents provide prey. Porcupines are taken occasionally despite defensive quills. Opossums and other small mammals are consumed. Ptarmigan, grouse, and other birds supplement the diet. The hunting strategy involves perching on high branches and listening for prey movements. The owl's exceptional night vision and asymmetrical ear placement allow pinpointing of prey. Once located, the owl dives at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour. Great Horned Owls are fierce competitors for food and territory. Roosting behavior involves spending daylight hours in dense trees.

Coexistence and Safety

Great Horned Owls in Maine pose no threat to humans and can be safely observed from appropriate distances. These owls do not attack people. Avoiding direct approach to active nesting sites, particularly from November through June, is respectful practice. If you encounter a fledgling owl on the ground in spring or summer, it is likely a young owl still being cared for by parents and should be left alone. Great Horned Owls are protected under federal law. Maine has no state threatened or endangered listing for the species. Vehicle collisions can occur in suburban and rural areas. Severe winters with deep snow can reduce prey accessibility. Habitat loss from logging affects some populations, though Maine's extensive forests provide buffer. Coexistence is straightforward: enjoy observing these remarkable predators.

Species Confusion in Maine

Several owl species in Maine might be confused with Great Horned Owls, though distinctive features aid identification. The Barred Owl occurs throughout Maine and lacks ear tufts. Their call sounds like "who cooks for you." The Short-eared Owl has small ear tufts and hunts in daylight. The Long-eared Owl is smaller and more delicate. Northern Pygmy-Owls are small and lack ear tufts. Boreal Owls are tiny. The Great Gray Owl is much larger but occurs rarely. Size alone eliminates most confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Great Horned Owls breed in Maine? Great Horned Owls breed remarkably early in Maine, with pair formation beginning in November and eggs laid by January and February. How do Great Horned Owls survive Maine's harsh winters? Dense feathering and metabolic heat production allow survival. Behavioral adaptations including roosting in sheltered locations enable year-round presence. What happens to high-elevation Great Horned Owls when winter arrives? Some northern and high-elevation birds show downslope migration. Lower-elevation birds often remain year-round. Can Great Horned Owls be heard in Maine's forests? Yes, in quiet forest environments, calls carry great distances. Learn more at/wildlife/maine.

Plan your trip

Best time to see great horned owl in Maine: April, May, September

See the month-by-month sighting calendar.

When to go

Plan your great horned owl sighting in Maine

4,827 verified great horned owl records have been logged in Maine, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Maine

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent great horned owl sightings

  • Hog Island--Audubon Camp, North Peninsula · 2026-07-15 23:09 · 1 seen
  • Lagoon Lane, Howland, Maine, US (45.225, -68.654) · 2026-07-13 08:41 · 1 seen
  • Camp · 2026-07-12 21:06 · 1 seen
  • Chesley Hill Road, Durham · 2026-07-11 21:02 · 1 seen
  • Commercial Dr, Berwick · 2026-07-09 23:56 · 1 seen

Planning a trip to see great horned owl? Find places to stay near Acadia National Park on Booking.com.

More wildlife in Maine

Alligator in MaineDolphin in MaineBear in MaineOctopus in MaineBobcat in Maine