Are There Barred Owls in New York?
Barred owls are common year-round residents throughout New York State. These forest owls thrive in the state's hardwood and mixed forests, from the Hudson River valley to the Adirondack mountains. Found in wooded areas statewide, barred owls are among the most vocal owl species in New York. Their distinctive laughing call echoes through forests across the state.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.
- 54,030
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
Yes, barred owls are in New York. Next you'll want:
Barred owls are common year-round residents throughout New York State. These forest owls thrive in the state's hardwood and mixed forests, from the Hudson River valley to the Adirondack mountains. Found in wooded areas statewide, barred owls are among the most vocal owl species in New York. Their distinctive laughing call echoes through forests across the state.
Where in New York the Barred Owl is Found
Barred owls inhabit forested areas throughout New York State, from the lowland forests along the Hudson River to the highest elevations of the Adirondack Mountains. They occupy the forests of the Catskill Mountains and throughout the state's interior woodlands. Barred owls are found in mixed hardwood and coniferous forests along the Delaware River valley and throughout the finger lakes regions. They are present in both protected state lands and private woodlots across the state. The Mohawk River valley and the diverse forests of the Champlain Valley all support healthy barred owl populations. These owls prefer mature forests with significant understory cover and are found in virtually every county with adequate forest habitat in New York. Seethe Barred Owl guide for New Yorkfor more.
Season and Timing
Barred owls are present year-round throughout New York State. Unlike migratory birds, barred owls remain in their territories through all seasons, remaining active throughout winter. They are most vocally active during late fall and winter months when establishing breeding territories and reaffirming pair bonds. January through March bring intense calling activity as owls compete for nest sites and mates. Spring and summer months are quieter as breeding pairs focus on raising young in tree cavities. Barred owls can be heard calling almost any night of the year in appropriate forest habitat throughout New York, with late fall and early spring offering the best opportunities to hear their loud, distinctive calls. Seethe New York wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify a Barred Owl
Barred owls are large forest owls, typically sixteen to twenty-five inches in length, with stocky builds and distinctive rounded heads lacking ear tufts. Their plumage is predominantly brown and gray with heavy barring across the breast and belly, and vertical streaking on the flanks. The facial disk is nearly circular with large dark eyes set forward-facing, unlike the yellow eyes of great horned owls. Barred owls often appear darker than other owl species. Their call is unmistakable: a loud, rhythmic series of hoots sounding like 'who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all,' often rendered as wild laughter or cackling. Females are consistently larger than males. Their size and dark eyes distinguish them from all other New York owls. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Where Sightings Concentrate in New York
Barred owls are widely distributed across New York but concentrate in extensive forest tracts. The Adirondack Mountains support one of the state's largest barred owl populations. The Catskill Mountains provide excellent barred owl habitat. Forests along the Delaware River valley and in the Finger Lakes region host good populations. The Hudson River valley wetlands and forests support barred owls, particularly in protected areas. State parks and forests including the Mohonk Preserve and other protected lands harbor regular barred owl populations. Birders seeking barred owls in New York should visit/wildlife/new-york/barred-owlfor specific location recommendations and listen during evening hours in forested areas.
Typical Behavior
Barred owls are strictly nocturnal hunters, hunting throughout the night and remaining hidden during daylight hours in dense forest. They hunt by sitting quietly on low perches and swooping silently down to capture prey. Their diet consists primarily of small mammals, particularly mice, voles, shrews, and rats. They also hunt birds, insects, crayfish, and amphibians depending on seasonal availability. Barred owls are relatively sedentary birds in New York, establishing territories that they may occupy for many years. They are exceptional among owl species for their vocal nature, calling frequently and loudly from dusk through dawn. Pairs often engage in duetting, with overlapping calls and responses between male and female.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Barred owls are fully protected under federal migratory bird laws and pose no threat to humans. These owls avoid people and remain active during darkness when encounters are unlikely. Very occasionally, a barred owl might strike a window at night, attracted by indoor lights reflecting insects, but such incidents are uncommon. Barred owls do not attack humans and show no aggression toward people. If you hear a barred owl calling near your New York home, it indicates healthy forest habitat nearby. Maintaining older trees with cavities and dense understory vegetation benefits barred owls and many other wildlife species. Consult/wildlifefor wildlife-friendly land management practices and conservation strategies.
Common Species People Confuse with Barred Owl
In New York, barred owls might be confused with great horned owls, though great horned owls have prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes, while barred owls lack ear tufts and have dark eyes. Long-eared owls are smaller and have vertical streaking rather than barring. Short-eared owls, found in open grasslands, are lighter and have yellow eyes. Saw-whet owls are much smaller and rarely encountered in most habitats. Barn owls have heart-shaped faces and golden tan plumage, very different from barred owls. The barred owl's large size, dark eyes, rounded head, and distinctive barring pattern make it relatively easy to identify once familiar with the species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are barred owls so loud at night in New York? A: Barred owls are highly vocal birds compared to other owl species. They use loud calls to establish territories and communicate with mates, especially during fall and winter breeding season preparations. Q: Are barred owls dangerous to pets? A: Barred owls occasionally hunt small outdoor pets, though this is uncommon. Keep cats and small dogs indoors at night and supervise outdoor pets carefully. Q: Where can I hear barred owls in New York? A: Barred owls are found in forests throughout the state. Evening and night visits to forested areas in fall and winter offer the best chances to hear their calls. Q: What does a barred owl eat? A: Barred owls primarily eat small mammals like mice and voles, but also hunt birds, insects, and other small animals.
Plan your barred owl sighting in New York
54,030 verified barred owl records have been logged in New York, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Fire Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- National Parks of New York Harbor · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Jones Beach SP · 344 species recorded
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge · 329 species recorded
- Robert Moses SP · 329 species recorded
- Jones Beach SP--West End · 323 species recorded
- Braddock Bay · 312 species recorded
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--West Pond · 306 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent barred owl sightings
- Casa · 2026-07-20 20:51 · 2 seen
- Gage Wildlife Sanctuary (private) · 2026-07-20 20:41 · 1 seen
- Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville US-NY 43.05144, -75.97500 · 2026-07-20 20:22 · 2 seen
- Sterling Nature Center · 2026-07-20 20:00 · 2 seen
- Innisfree Garden, Millbrook · 2026-07-20 19:20 · 2 seen
More wildlife in New York