Are There Barred Owls in North Dakota?
Barred owls are rare in North Dakota, occurring only in the state's eastern wooded regions. These forest owls prefer dense deciduous and mixed forests, which are limited in North Dakota. Eastern river valleys near the Minnesota border support occasional barred owls. The state's plains lack suitable forest habitat.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.
- 504
- GBIF records
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- birding hotspots
Yes, barred owls are in North Dakota. Next you'll want:
Barred owls are rare in North Dakota, occurring only in the state's eastern wooded regions. These forest owls prefer dense deciduous and mixed forests, which are limited in North Dakota. Eastern river valleys near the Minnesota border support occasional barred owls. The state's plains lack suitable forest habitat.
Where in North Dakota the Barred Owl is Found
Barred owls have not established significant populations in North Dakota and remain exceedingly rare throughout the state. If barred owls occur in North Dakota at all, they would be restricted to the state's limited eastern wooded regions. The bottomland forests along the Missouri River in the southeastern portion of the state might occasionally host wandering barred owls. The forested valleys of the Red River area near the Minnesota border represent North Dakota's most likely barred owl habitat. The majority of North Dakota, dominated by prairie grassland and open agricultural land, lacks the dense old-growth forest that barred owls require. Any barred owl appearing in North Dakota would represent a significant range extension into unsuitable habitat. Seethe Barred Owl guide for North Dakotafor more.
Season and Timing
Barred owls are not established as residents in North Dakota, making seasonal patterns difficult to establish. Occasional individuals might wander into the state during late autumn or winter dispersal, particularly juveniles from populations in neighboring states. At present, no consistent seasonal pattern is documented for North Dakota. Climate change models suggest that over coming decades, barred owl range might gradually expand northward, potentially bringing occasional birds into North Dakota's eastern forests. Current observations indicate that barred owls remain far from becoming regular visitors to the state. Birders interested in barred owls should remain alert to possible autumn and winter sightings in the state's limited eastern forest corridors. Seethe North Dakota wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify a Barred Owl
Barred owls are large forest owls, approximately sixteen to twenty-five inches in length, with stocky bodies and distinctive rounded heads lacking ear tufts. Their plumage is predominantly brown and gray with heavy barring across the chest and belly, and vertical streaking on the flanks. Barred owls have large dark eyes set forward-facing on a nearly circular facial disk, distinguishing them from yellow-eyed great horned owls. These owls often appear darker than many other owl species. The most distinctive feature is their loud, rhythmic call sounding like 'who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all,' often described as laughing or whooping. Females are noticeably larger than males. In North Dakota, a confirmed barred owl sighting would be exceptionally noteworthy.
Where Sightings Concentrate in North Dakota
No established concentration areas for barred owls exist in North Dakota. However, if barred owls do occur, they would most likely appear in the state's limited dense forest habitats. The Missouri River bottomlands in the southeastern corner of the state, the Red River valley forests near the Minnesota border, and the Knife River valley represent North Dakota's most suitable barred owl habitat. These areas support cottonwood, ash, and mixed deciduous forest stands that approximate barred owl habitat. Birders exploring these regions should listen for barred owl calls during evening and night hours, particularly during autumn and winter months. Visit/wildlife/north-dakotafor broader North Dakota wildlife information.
Typical Behavior
Barred owls hunt nocturnally, feeding primarily on small mammals such as mice, voles, and rats, though they also take birds, insects, and amphibians. They are sit-and-wait predators, often hunting from low perches in forest understory. Unlike great horned owls, barred owls are less migratory and typically remain in their territories year-round in established populations. They nest in tree cavities or large stick nests abandoned by other raptor species. In North Dakota, any observed barred owl would likely be a solitary wandering individual, as sustained populations have not established. Their nocturnal nature and forest preference make them secretive and difficult to observe. Range expansion driven by climate change could eventually bring barred owls to North Dakota.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Barred owls are fully protected under federal law as migratory birds. In North Dakota, they pose no threat to humans and actively avoid contact with people. These owls are vocal and active primarily at night, making encounters very unlikely. If a barred owl is observed in North Dakota, it should not be disturbed. North Dakota Parks and Recreation field staff appreciate documentation of any confirmed barred owl sighting, as such records help track range expansion and population dynamics. Report unusual owl observations to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Photographs or audio recordings should accompany any reports. Consult/wildlifefor information on other owl species found in North Dakota.
Common Species People Confuse with Barred Owl
North Dakota birders might confuse a barred owl with a great horned owl, though great horned owls have prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes, while barred owls lack ear tufts and have dark eyes. Long-eared owls, occasionally present during migration, are smaller and have vertical streaking rather than barring. Barn owls are found in open country and have heart-shaped faces and golden tan plumage. Short-eared owls, found in grasslands, have yellow eyes. Screech owls are much smaller. A sighting of a large, dark-eyed, round-headed owl with barred underparts would be exceptional in North Dakota and worth confirming with photographs and field notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has anyone ever seen a barred owl in North Dakota? A: Barred owl sightings are extraordinarily rare in North Dakota. Historical records may include very few reports, but they remain exceptional events, not regular occurrences. Q: Could climate change bring barred owls to North Dakota? A: Gradual northward range shifts are theoretically possible over decades, but establishing populations would require significant increases in forest habitat throughout the state. Q: Which North Dakota habitat is most likely to have a barred owl? A: Forest corridors along the Missouri River and Red River valleys offer the closest approximation to barred owl habitat. Q: What should I do if I see a barred owl in North Dakota? A: Document the sighting with photos or audio, note exact location and time, and report to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Visit/wildlife/north-dakota/barred-owlfor additional guidance.
Plan your barred owl sighting in North Dakota
504 verified barred owl records have been logged in North Dakota, most recently in 2025. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site · Find hotels
- Arrowwood NWR (general) · 251 species recorded
- Upper Souris NWR (general) · 250 species recorded
- Kellys Slough NWR · 249 species recorded
- Des Lacs NWR · 246 species recorded
- Long Lake NWR · 246 species recorded
- Pipestem Reservoir (general) · 243 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent barred owl sightings
- 5831 Valley Road, Kathryn, ND 58049 · 2026-07-11 01:21 · 1 seen
- Fargo--Holm Park · 2026-07-01 10:47 · 1 seen
More wildlife in North Dakota