Owls in Maryland: identification guide and where to start looking
Maryland is home to several owl species, including great horned, barred, eastern screech, and barn owls. Start your search in mature woodlands and near water, especially at dawn or dusk. Focus on key field marks like eye color and ear tufts to tell them apart.
Maryland is home to several owl species, including great horned, barred, eastern screech, and barn owls. Start your search in mature woodlands and near water, especially at dawn or dusk. Focus on key field marks like eye color and ear tufts to tell them apart.
1. Which owl species are most common in Maryland?
You are most likely to see the great horned owl, barred owl, eastern screech owl, and barn owl across Maryland. The great horned is large with ear tufts and yellow eyes, while the barred owl is stockier with brown eyes and vertical barring. The eastern screech is small (about robin-sized) with ear tufts, and the barn owl has a heart-shaped white face.
See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
2. How can you tell a barred owl from a great horned owl?
The barred owl has dark brown eyes and no visible ear tufts, with a round head and vertical brown barring on its chest. The great horned owl has bright yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts, with horizontal barring on its chest. Barred owls tend to be slightly smaller and more vocal during the day.
See ourOwls guidefor the next step.
3. Where in Maryland do people usually spot owls first?
Your best odds are in large forested parks like Patuxent Research Refuge, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and along the C&O Canal. Suburban parks with old trees and nearby marshes also hold resident owls. For barn owls, check agricultural areas and open fields with old barns or nest boxes.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. When is the best season and time of day for owl sightings?
Late winter through early spring is the peak season for courtship and nesting, making owls more active and vocal. Dawn and dusk are the most reliable times, though great horned and barred owls may call throughout the night. On overcast days, sometimes they start earlier.
5. What should you look for when trying to identify an owl by sound?
Barred owls are known for their classic "who-cooks-for-you" call, often heard during the day. Great horned owls produce deep, slow hoots (usually three to five). Eastern screech owls give a soft, descending whinny or a trill. Barn owls hiss and scream rather than hoot.
6. Which lookalikes cause confusion among Maryland owls?
Red-shouldered hawks are sometimes mistaken for perched owls due to similar size and barring. Look for a hawk's longer tail and more slender body, plus a perched owl's characteristic upright, nearly earless silhouette (except for species with ear tufts). At night, size and shape are your main clues.
7. How can you bring an owl sighting home with you?
If you enjoy the memory of an owl encounter, consider a small reminder for your desk or kitchen. TheHandcrafted Stoneware Owl Mugfeatures a folk art design and holds 16 oz of coffee. For a subtle touch, theOwl Minimalist Line Art Stickeris waterproof and fits a laptop or journal. TheWoodland Owl Refrigerator Magnetuses a rustic wood grain and is handmade in the USA. Check all our owl-themed wall art atEasy Street Markets Art Prints.
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### Handcrafted Stoneware Owl Mug | Guatemalan Coffee Cup, 16 oz
Hoo's awesome? You are! Hand molded ceramic mug in a warm cream tone with adorable folk art design and a bright eyed owl with colorful face and feathers. 16 oz.Check Price and Availability
### Cute Animals Sticker Pack | High Quality Water Resistant Stickers | Koala, Racoon, Owl, Tamandua, Wolf and more
Simple line-art owl sticker. Matte vinyl finish. Great for journals and laptops.Check Price and Availability
### Wild Animal Magnet Set 3D Gold Lion Tiger
Woodland owl magnet with rustic wood grain background. Handmade in USA.Check Price and Availability
8. Frequently asked questions about owls in Maryland
**Are owls active during the day?** Barred owls and eastern screech owls are sometimes active in low light, but most owls are nocturnal. Great horned and barn owls rarely hunt during the day. **Do owls migrate?** Most Maryland owls are year-round residents, though some northern species like the snowy owl occasionally visit in winter. **What is the smallest owl in Maryland?** The eastern screech owl, at about 6 to 10 inches tall. **Are owls protected?** Yes, all owls in Maryland are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
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