Are There Great Horned Owls in New York?
Yes, Great Horned Owls are common year-round residents throughout New York, from the Adirondack Mountains to the Hudson Valley and across Long Island. These large, powerful nocturnal hunters inhabit forested areas, riparian corridors, and increasingly urban parks. The deep hooting calls of Great Horned Owls are a familiar sound in New York forests and suburbs throughout the year.
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 · Rick Farwell CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
- 1
- species recorded
- 44,614
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- April, May, January
- peak months
Yes, great horned owls are in New York. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,439 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in New York, most often in April, May, January.
When great horned owl are recorded in New York
Yes, Great Horned Owls are common year-round residents throughout New York, from the Adirondack Mountains to the Hudson Valley and across Long Island. These large, powerful nocturnal hunters inhabit forested areas, riparian corridors, and increasingly urban parks. The deep hooting calls of Great Horned Owls are a familiar sound in New York forests and suburbs throughout the year.
Where Great Horned Owls Are Found in New York
Great Horned Owls are distributed across all regions of New York. The Adirondack region in the north, with its extensive forests of spruce, fir, and hardwoods, supports healthy populations at various elevations. The Catskills and surrounding mountains in southeastern New York provide similar forest habitat. The Hudson Valley's riparian forests along the Hudson River support populations. Central New York's forests and agricultural areas with scattered woodlots provide habitat. The Finger Lakes region with its surrounding forests holds populations. Western New York near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario's shorelines have established populations. Long Island's oak and pine forests, despite the suburban development, still host resident and migrant populations. The Delaware River valley along New York's eastern border provides excellent riparian habitat. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls offers excellent habitat. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in western New York provides grassland and wetland habitat. Urban parks within New York City, including Central Park, have become home to resident Great Horned Owls. Check theNew York wildlife guidefor specific refuge information. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for New Yorkfor more.
Season and Timing in New York
Great Horned Owls are year-round residents in New York, with some seasonal variation in population distribution. Fall brings the beginning of courtship and territorial behavior, with males becoming vocal in September and October. Calling activity intensifies through late fall and early winter. Pair bonding and nest occupation occur in November and December. Egg-laying begins in late December and continues through early January, very early compared to most bird species. Eggs incubate for about 30 days, hatching in late January and February. Chicks grow rapidly and fledge by late April and May. Young owls become increasingly conspicuous as they learn to hunt through early summer. By late summer, young birds disperse from their natal territories. Calling activity decreases through summer. Migration from northern regions brings some additional individuals through New York in fall, though most birds are year-round residents. The peak season for hearing Great Horned Owl calls is October through March. Winter nights offer excellent opportunities for observation, particularly on quiet, clear nights. Early morning hours before dawn and dusk hours offer the best chances for observation. Seethe New York wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify a Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owls are among the largest owls in North America. Adults measure 18 to 25 inches in length with wingspans extending 36 to 60 inches. Their most distinctive feature is the pair of prominent feathered ear tufts on their heads, which are actually feathered extensions of the scalp rather than true ears. Plumage varies considerably among individuals, ranging from gray to russet to dark brown. Most New York birds show mottled gray-brown patterns providing camouflage against tree bark in forest settings. The facial disk is large and round with huge forward-facing yellow-orange eyes set close together providing exceptional binocular vision for hunting. Dark facial markings and a darkened facial disk edge are usually visible. Underparts are lighter with fine barring. The wings are broad and rounded, adapted for silent flight through forests. The tail is relatively short compared to other large raptors. Talons are large, curved, and powerful. Males are noticeably smaller than females. Juvenile and adult plumages are quite similar, though eye color may appear slightly different in very young birds. The distinctive deep, resonant hooting call is perhaps the most reliable identification feature.
Where Sightings Concentrate in New York
Great Horned Owls concentrate in forested and riparian habitats throughout New York. The Adirondack Mountains, with their extensive spruce-fir forests and hardwood stands, support good populations and offer reliable sighting opportunities. The Catskills provide similar forest habitat. The Hudson Valley, particularly in preserved natural areas, holds resident populations. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls offers excellent habitat with its mix of marsh and forest. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in western New York provides grassland and shrub habitat. Corning Nature Reserve and various state parks with substantial forests host resident pairs. Central Park in New York City has become known for its Great Horned Owl population. The Finger Lakes region and surrounding woodlands provide widespread habitat. Long Island's oak and pine forests hold populations despite development. Riparian forests along major rivers throughout the state provide reliable habitat. Areas where forests meet open fields or wetlands offer excellent hunting habitat. Evening walks through suitable forest habitats during October through March offer the best probability of hearing their distinctive calls. Visit thenational wildlife pageto learn about owl conservation efforts.
Typical Behavior and Diet
Great Horned Owls are apex predators that hunt primarily at night, sitting silently on perches and scanning the landscape for movement. In New York, rabbits and hares are major food items. Eastern cottontails are frequently taken. Rodents comprise a significant portion of their diet, including rats, mice, voles, and squirrels. Tree squirrels, particularly fox squirrels and eastern gray squirrels, are important prey. Larger items occasionally include young foxes, groundhogs, and porcupine quills. Birds ranging from small songbirds to ruffed grouse are hunted. Reptiles, amphibians, and large insects supplement their diet. They hunt across diverse habitats from forest floors to woodland edges. Great Horned Owls are fiercely territorial and monogamous, with pairs often remaining together for multiple years. Males defend territories by hooting. Courtship involves mutual calling and prey exchanges between the pair. Pairs nest in old hawk or eagle nests, occasionally in cavities or on cliff ledges. Clutches typically contain two to three eggs. Both parents care for young, though females do most brooding and incubation during the early nesting period. Fledglings remain dependent on parents for several months.
Coexistence and Legal Protections
Great Horned Owls are protected under federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections and New York's wildlife regulations. It is illegal to harm, kill, or harass them without special permits. They contribute significantly to ecosystem health by controlling rodent populations and serving as apex predators. In New York's mixed urban and rural landscape, conflicts with humans are uncommon. Small domestic pets should be protected by bringing outdoor cats indoors during dusk and dawn hours. Small dogs should be supervised during these times as well. Larger pets and humans are not at risk from Great Horned Owl predation. The owls will avoid human confrontation. Protecting forest habitats and maintaining mature trees benefits Great Horned Owls and contributes to overall ecosystem health. If you encounter an injured or orphaned owl, contact New York Department of Environmental Conservation for guidance on rehabilitation services. Many New York residents, particularly in forested areas, appreciate Great Horned Owls as indicators of healthy forest ecosystems. Reporting sighting locations towildlife monitoring programshelps conservation efforts.
Species Commonly Confused with Great Horned Owls
Several owl species occur in New York and could cause potential confusion, though most are quite different. The Barred Owl is the most likely source of confusion, being New York's second-largest owl. However, Barred Owls lack prominent ear tufts, have dark eyes instead of yellow, are smaller overall, and are more vocally active during daylight hours. The Barn Owl is smaller, completely different in appearance with a heart-shaped face, dark eyes, and no ear tufts. The Short-eared Owl, if encountered in open habitats, has very short ear tufts and hunts during daylight. The Long-eared Owl is smaller, more slender, with different proportions. The Eastern Screech-Owl is tiny, only about eight inches long, with a completely different appearance. The Great Gray Owl is extremely rare in New York and lacks the prominent ear tufts of Great Horned Owls. Any large owl with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes observed at night in New York is almost certainly a Great Horned Owl. The combination of massive size, prominent ear tufts, striking yellow eyes, and the deep hooting call is unmistakable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of year can you hear Great Horned Owls hooting in New York? The best time is October through March when territorial and courtship calls are most frequent. Early mornings before dawn and dusk hours offer the best opportunities. Still, cold nights with little wind allow sound to carry farther. Can Great Horned Owls be found in New York cities like New York City? Yes, Central Park and other urban parks within the city have hosted resident Great Horned Owls. These adaptable owls increasingly inhabit parks and forested areas near urban centers throughout New York. Are Great Horned Owls dangerous to people in New York? Great Horned Owls do not attack people. They are wild animals that should not be approached. Small pets should be protected during dawn and dusk, but larger pets and humans are safe. What should you do if you find an injured Great Horned Owl in New York? Do not handle the bird. Contact the New York Department of Environmental Conservation immediately for guidance on rehabilitation services. They maintain networks of licensed rehabilitators who can provide proper care and eventual release to the wild.
Plan your trip
Best time to see great horned owl in New York: April, May, January
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your great horned owl sighting in New York
44,614 verified great horned 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 great horned owl sightings
- Sapsucker Woods--Duemling Meadows · 2026-07-20 08:27 · 1 seen
- Uplands Farm Sanctuary · 2026-07-20 05:40
- 90 State Street, Auburn, New York, US (42.698, -76.671) · 2026-07-18 21:06 · 1 seen
- North Spencer Marsh, Michigan Hollow Lake (restricted access) · 2026-07-17 10:47 · 4 seen
- Oakley Corners State Forest · 2026-07-17 10:00 · 1 seen
More wildlife in New York