8 Types of Owls in Maryland

1. Which owl species are most common in Maryland?

You are most likely to see the great horned owl, barred owl, and eastern screech owl across Maryland. Barn owls are less common but present in agricultural regions and some suburban areas with suitable barn structures. 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 cryptic gray or reddish plumage that blends into tree bark.

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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. Listen for the barred owl's distinctive "who-cooks-for-you" call versus the great horned's deep, slow hoots. In silhouette, the great horned's ear tufts are unmistakable, while barred owls appear more round-headed.

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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. Many owl enthusiasts find success near streams and wetlands, where prey is abundant. Dawn walks near these habitats during late winter and early spring yield the most reliable sightings. Local nature centers often guide visitors to known roosting areas.

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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. Owls are most vocal in January through March when defending territories and establishing pairs. Even a brief window at sunrise or sunset can yield calls and occasional visual contact. Night walks with a red flashlight (less disruptive than white light) can reveal barn owls and other species.

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 in sequence. Eastern screech owls give a soft, descending whinny or a trill that sounds like a horse neighing. Barn owls hiss and scream rather than hoot, making a distinctive shrieking sound, especially during nesting season. Each species has a recognizable pattern once you know what to listen for. Online recordings and owl identification apps can help train your ear.

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. Juvenile owls can appear quite different from adults, causing confusion. Calls are your best way to rule out hawks and other birds that might look owl-like in dim light.

7. How can you bring an owl sighting home with you?

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8. Do all Maryland owl species look like they have ear tufts?

No, ear tufts are feathers on top of the owl's head, not actual ears. Great horned and eastern screech owls have them, while barred owls and barn owls do not. A barred owl's round head can seem tufted at times when it fluffs its feathers in alarm or cold. The tufts on species that have them are easy field marks, but their absence does not mean an owl lacks ears (they are tucked under the feathers on the sides of the head).

9. What do owls eat and how does diet differ among Maryland species?

Great horned owls hunt large prey including rabbits, squirrels, and even small raccoons, making them the apex bird predator in Maryland. Barred owls focus on smaller mammals like mice, voles, and shrews, plus crayfish and frogs from wetlands. Eastern screech owls take insects, spiders, and small rodents. Barn owls specialize in hunting rodents across open fields, working fields at night to catch voles and mice. Diet shapes hunting strategy and habitat use. Understanding what an owl eats helps you predict where to find it, since prey availability drives location choice.

10. Are any owl species in Maryland declining or rare?

Barn owls and short-eared owls are less common than they once were due to loss of grassland and conversion of barns. Great horned, barred, and eastern screech owls remain stable to increasing in many parts of Maryland. Short-eared owls are rare winter visitors to Maryland marshes, not permanent residents. Habitat loss for grassland species is ongoing, though some conservation efforts aim to restore open space. Awareness of these shifts helps birders appreciate sightings of rarer species and understand broader ecological changes.

11. 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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