Are There Great Horned Owls in Mississippi?
Yes, Great Horned Owls are permanent residents throughout Mississippi, inhabiting pine forests, cypress swamps, bottomland hardwoods, and river bluffs across the entire state. These large nocturnal predators thrive in Mississippi's diverse forest habitats. Mississippi supports healthy populations of this formidable raptor across all regions.
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 · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Michael A. Alcorn CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Tia Offner CC BY
- 1
- species recorded
- 3,977
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- April, March, July
- peak months
Yes, great horned owls are in Mississippi. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
191 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in Mississippi, most often in April, March, July.
When great horned owl are recorded in Mississippi
Yes, Great Horned Owls are permanent residents throughout Mississippi, inhabiting pine forests, cypress swamps, bottomland hardwoods, and river bluffs across the entire state. These large nocturnal predators thrive in Mississippi's diverse forest habitats. Mississippi supports healthy populations of this formidable raptor across all regions.
Where Great Horned Owls Are Found in Mississippi
Great Horned Owls occupy forested regions throughout Mississippi from the northern hill country to the southern delta and coastal regions. Northern Mississippi forests provide deciduous and mixed forest habitat with oak-hickory composition. The Mississippi River bluffs in western Mississippi provide important habitat with steep slopes and mature forests. Central Mississippi forests including pine and hardwood mixtures support populations. Southern Mississippi pine forests provide prime habitat. The Mississippi Delta region, though heavily converted to agriculture, still supports populations in remaining forest patches and riparian corridors. Cypress and tupelo swamps throughout the state, including the Sunflower River bottomlands and other swamp systems, provide excellent habitat. Riparian corridors along the Mississippi River and its tributaries provide critical habitat with tall trees. Coastal plain forests and associated mixed habitats in southern Mississippi provide habitat. Urban and suburban parks with mature trees throughout Jackson, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, and other cities support resident populations. Private woodlands and protected lands throughout Mississippi support populations. The state's transition from northern hills to southern coastal plain provides diverse habitat. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Mississippifor more.
Season and Timing in Mississippi
Great Horned Owls in Mississippi are year-round residents that do not migrate. Breeding begins early, with pairs establishing territories in November and December and laying eggs by January and February. This early timing allows young to fledge by late spring when prey increases. The breeding season runs from November through June, with the most intense territorial calling occurring in December and January. Pairs duet loudly during this period. Eggs typically hatch in late February and March, and young fledge by April and May. Fledglings remain dependent on parents through summer and early fall. Throughout summer and fall, owls remain active but less vocal. Mississippi's warm subtropical to temperate climate provides year-round hunting conditions with seasonal variations. Wet season flooding of rivers and swamps (spring through early summer) concentrates prey. Dry season consolidates prey near remaining water sources. The absence of harsh winters means year-round hunting accessibility. Seethe Mississippi wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify a Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owls are Mississippi's largest common owl and unmistakable when observed. Adults measure 18 to 25 inches tall with wingspans reaching 60 inches. The most distinctive feature is a pair of prominent ear tufts extending from the top of the head. Mississippi's Great Horned Owls typically display gray-brown or darker brown plumage with heavy streaking. 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. In flight, Great Horned Owls appear large 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, typically four to five booms sounding like "hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo." In Mississippi's swamps and forests, this call echoes through cypress stands. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Mississippi
Great Horned Owl sightings in Mississippi concentrate in forested and swamp habitats. Northern Mississippi forests in the hill country provide excellent habitat. Mississippi River bluffs in western Mississippi concentrate owls. State parks and forests throughout Mississippi host populations in accessible habitat. Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge and similar refuges provide viewing opportunities. Lefleur's Woods and other parks near Jackson provide accessible urban habitat. Bottomland hardwood forests throughout the state concentrate populations. The best viewing strategy involves visiting forest and swamp habitat during the 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 through audio. Daytime observations require searching tall trees. Visit/wildlife/mississippifor wildlife viewing opportunities.
Typical Behavior and Diet
Great Horned Owls in Mississippi are fierce nocturnal predators with diets reflecting the state's southeastern fauna. Cottontail rabbits and fox squirrels provide substantial meals. Fox squirrels, gray squirrels, and flying squirrels are taken regularly. Voles, mice, rats, and other rodents supplement the diet. Opossums and raccoons are taken occasionally. Great Horned Owls will hunt skunks despite their defensive spray. Waterfowl including rails, coots, and ducks provide seasonal prey in wetland areas. Wading birds and crows are taken when opportunities arise. The hunting strategy involves perching on prominent branches overlooking open areas or water and listening intently 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 perched in tall cypress, pines, or oaks.
Coexistence and Safety
Great Horned Owls in Mississippi 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. Mississippi has no state threatened or endangered listing for the species. Vehicle collisions can occur in suburban and rural areas. Rodent poison can accumulate in owl tissues. Swamp habitat loss from development reduces available nesting sites. Coexistence is straightforward: enjoy observing these remarkable predators.
Species Confusion in Mississippi
Several owl species in Mississippi might be confused with Great Horned Owls, though distinctive features aid identification. The Barn Owl is pale-faced and lacks ear tufts. The Barred Owl shares Mississippi's forest habitat and lacks ear tufts. Their hooting sounds like "who cooks for you." Short-eared Owls have small ear tufts and hunt in daylight. Long-eared Owls are smaller and more delicate. Eastern Screech-Owls are tiny. Burrowing Owls occur in open grasslands. Size alone eliminates most confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Great Horned Owls most active in Mississippi? Great Horned Owls hunt primarily in the first few hours after sunset and again in the hours before dawn. What is the best season to observe Great Horned Owls in Mississippi? The breeding season from November through March offers the best viewing opportunities. Can Great Horned Owls survive Mississippi's wet season flooding? Yes, they remain year-round residents despite seasonal flooding. They roost in tall trees above floodwater and adjust hunting. Are Great Horned Owls a threat to small pets in Mississippi? Small outdoor pets left at night can potentially be taken. Learn more about Mississippi wildlife at/wildlife/mississippi.
Plan your trip
Best time to see great horned owl in Mississippi: April, March, July
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your great horned owl sighting in Mississippi
3,977 verified great horned owl records have been logged in Mississippi, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Natchez Trace Parkway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Shiloh National Military Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site · Find hotels
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument · Find hotels
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument · Find hotels
- Seaman Rd. Sewage Lagoons (restricted access) · 290 species recorded
- Grand Bay NWR/NERR · 263 species recorded
- Singing River Island (restricted access) · 261 species recorded
- Noxubee NWR (Noxubee Co.) (please consider using more specific location/hotspot) · 257 species recorded
- St Catherine Creek NWR · 254 species recorded
- Ansley · 253 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent great horned owl sightings
- 256 Bellevue Dr, Madison US-MS 32.57457, -90.14344 · 2026-07-15 20:27 · 2 seen
- 39702, Columbus US-MS (33.4552,-88.3318) · 2026-07-10 17:13 · 1 seen
- Osborne Creek · 2026-07-05 17:06 · 1 seen
- Blue Springs · 2026-07-01 18:34 · 1 seen
- Pettigrew Place · 2026-07-01 00:03 · 1 seen
More wildlife in Mississippi