Are There Great Horned Owls in North Dakota?

Yes, Great Horned Owls are common year-round residents throughout North Dakota, found from the badlands of the west to the forests and grasslands of the east. These large nocturnal predators thrive in the state's mix of woodlands, agricultural areas, and rocky outcrops. They are one of North Dakota's most widespread and adaptable owl species.

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 photographed in North Dakota — Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.

Found in North Dakota

1
species recorded: 7,934
GBIF records: 6
birding hotspots: May, April, December
peak months

Yes, great horned owls are in North Dakota. Next you'll want:

Real sighting data, source iNaturalist

139 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in North Dakota, most often in May, April, December.

When great horned owl are recorded in North Dakota

Where Great Horned Owls Live in North Dakota

Great Horned Owls are found across all regions of North Dakota, though their exact habitats vary. In western North Dakota, around the Badlands and the Missouri River breaks, they nest in cottonwood trees and rocky canyons where the landscape provides shelter and hunting grounds. The Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park area near Mandan offers ideal habitat for these owls, with mixed woodlands and open grasslands that support their prey. In the central and northern regions, around the Knife River and throughout the prairie, Great Horned Owls hunt in open country and scattered woody areas. The Garrison Diversion area and the Missouri River corridor support significant populations. Eastern North Dakota, with its more forested character along tributaries and in shelterbelts, also hosts year-round Great Horned Owl populations. These owls adapt to any environment with trees for roosting and open ground for hunting, making them equally comfortable near small towns and isolated ranches. They are found at various elevations, from the lowest river valleys to the higher badland formations.

Seasons and Timing in North Dakota

Great Horned Owls remain in North Dakota throughout the year, making them one of the state's few owl species that do not migrate. Their year-round presence means you can hear their distinctive hooting calls in any month, though calling is most frequent during the fall and winter breeding season. In autumn, particularly September through November, Great Horned Owls become increasingly vocal as pairs establish and defend territories. Winter is when they are most active and vocal, with the deep hooting calls carrying far across the cold North Dakota nights. By late winter, around February and March, pairs are actively nesting and raising young. Some additional Great Horned Owls may arrive from northern regions during early winter, increasing the population temporarily. Spring and summer, from April through August, is when young owls fledge from nests and learn to hunt. This is also the season when you are most likely to see owls during the day, as fledglings rest in trees before fully mastering flight. The transition into fall brings renewed territorial calling and the beginning of a new breeding cycle.

How to Identify Great Horned Owls

Great Horned Owls are among North Dakota's largest owl species, with a wingspan reaching up to five feet. Their most distinctive features are the prominent ear tufts on the crown of the head, which give them their name and a fierce appearance. The facial disc is round and large, with forward-facing yellow or orange eyes that seem to stare intently. Their plumage ranges from grayish-brown to rufous-brown, often with dark streaking that provides camouflage in woodland settings. Most North Dakota birds have bark-like coloring that helps them blend into tree trunks and branches. Their large hooked beak is dark and partially hidden by feathers. Unlike some smaller owls, Great Horned Owls lack a disc-like facial pattern and instead have a flatter face. Females are noticeably larger than males, sometimes up to one-third heavier. Their size alone separates them from smaller owls like Barn Owls or Short-eared Owls. The call is a deep, resonant hooting that sounds like 'hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo,' often described as sounding almost like a bass drum. This call is one of the easiest ways to identify the species, even in complete darkness.

Where Sightings Are Most Common in North Dakota

In North Dakota, Great Horned Owls concentrate in specific habitats that provide both shelter and access to prey. The Missouri River breaks and badlands, particularly in western counties, support useful populations because the rocky terrain and scattered trees offer nest sites and roosting spots. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park area near Medora is a prime location for both sightings and hearing their calls during evening and night hours. Cottonwood groves along river valleys throughout the state are hotspots for Great Horned Owls, especially the Knife River and its tributaries in central North Dakota. Garrison Lake and the surrounding Garrison Diversion area host regular populations. In the north, the forests around the Turtle Mountains provide suitable habitat, as do the mixed woodlands in Bottineau County. Eastern North Dakota, particularly Cass County and areas around Fargo, has good populations in shelterbelts and small woodlots. Agricultural areas with scattered trees and windbreaks support owls that hunt across open ground. Lakes and wetland edges, including areas near Devil's Lake and Spirit Lake, attract Great Horned Owls that hunt for waterfowl and muskrats. State Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state, such as those managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, often harbor these owls.

Behavior and Hunting Habits

Great Horned Owls are skilled nocturnal hunters that rely on exceptional hearing and silent flight to catch prey. They hunt almost exclusively at night, perching quietly on a branch or tall structure before dropping onto unsuspecting prey. In North Dakota, their diet consists primarily of rabbits and hares, which make up more than half their food intake. They also hunt smaller mammals like pocket gophers, voles, mice, and ground squirrels. Waterfowl, including ducks and young geese, are taken when available near water bodies. Great Horned Owls are fierce predators and will even hunt other raptors like Burrowing Owls and shorter owls. They are territorial birds that maintain the same hunting grounds year after year. A breeding pair typically remains together for many years and may return to the same nest site, or nearby sites, season after season. They do not build their own nests but instead take over abandoned nests of other large birds, particularly hawks and ravens, or use natural cavities in dead trees. Breeding pairs engage in duetting behavior where both males and females hoot, creating an echoing sound across the landscape during winter months. Young birds learn to hunt over several months after leaving the nest, often making clumsy attacks on prey before developing efficiency.

Living Alongside Great Horned Owls

Great Horned Owls are an important and protected part of North Dakota's wildlife heritage. They face no hunting season and are legally protected under federal law. Like all native North Dakota birds, they may not be harmed, captured, or disturbed without special permits. Great Horned Owls pose no threat to humans and avoid populated areas unless attracted by abundant prey or roosting habitat. They occasionally prey on small pets, including cats and small dogs, particularly young or outdoor animals, so pet owners in areas with owl populations should use caution. However, such incidents are relatively rare. The owls themselves have few natural predators, though young owls and eggs are occasionally taken by eagles or coyotes. Great Horned Owls are beneficial to agricultural areas because they control rodent populations that damage crops and stored grain. Farmers and rural residents often benefit from having these owls in their territory. If you encounter an owl, whether alive or dead, the best practice is to observe it from a distance. Dead owls that appear to have been struck by vehicles or suffered other injuries can be reported to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for documentation. Supporting habitat conservation, particularly protecting old-growth trees and wooded areas, helps maintain healthy Great Horned Owl populations. Learn more aboutNorth Dakota wildlifeand explore how toidentify all owls in your state.

Similar Species and Confusion

Great Horned Owls can be confused with other large owls that live in North Dakota, though careful observation helps distinguish them. The Barred Owl is the most common source of confusion, as it is also large and widespread in the eastern portions of North Dakota. However, Barred Owls lack the prominent ear tufts of Great Horned Owls and have dark eyes rather than yellow eyes. Barred Owls produce a distinctive 'who cooks for you' call that is quite different from the Great Horned Owl's hooting. The Great Gray Owl visits North Dakota only rarely, primarily in winter from northern regions, and is significantly larger with a much rounder face and different eye placement. Long-eared Owls do occur in North Dakota but are considerably smaller than Great Horned Owls and have smaller, more delicate ear tufts. Short-eared Owls, which hunt over prairie grassland during the day, are smaller and have a different flight pattern and facial structure. Snowy Owls arrive in North Dakota during winter and are pale or white, making them easily distinguishable. The Barn Owl, a rare visitor to North Dakota, has a distinctive heart-shaped face and is much smaller. Knowing these differences helps bird watchers and wildlife observers correctly identify the species they encounter and report their sightings accurately. See theNorth Dakota wildlife guidefor more details on this species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of year do Great Horned Owls breed in North Dakota? Great Horned Owls in North Dakota breed between December and May, which is earlier than most other North Dakota birds. Pairs begin nesting in late winter, with eggs hatching in late March or April and young fledging by June. Can you see Great Horned Owls during the day in North Dakota? You can sometimes see Great Horned Owls during daylight hours, especially in winter when nights are long and owls rest during parts of the day. They often perch in dense trees or rocky outcrops where they are well-hidden. In late spring and early summer, fledgling owls may be active during the day while learning to hunt. Where can I hear Great Horned Owl calls in North Dakota? The best places to hear Great Horned Owl calls are wooded areas near the Missouri River, state parks with mature trees, agricultural areas with shelterbelts, and any habitat with scattered large trees. The calls are most frequent from September through March, with peak activity in January and February. Early evening and just after sunset are the best times to listen. Do Great Horned Owls migrate to other states? No, Great Horned Owls that breed in North Dakota stay year-round. They do not migrate south in winter like many other bird species. The population may fluctuate slightly as owls move between regions, but the species remains present throughout all seasons in North Dakota. For morewildlife information, check our comprehensive guides. Visit thestate wildlife guideto learn about other North Dakota species.

Plan your trip

Best time to see great horned owl in North Dakota: May, April, December

See the month-by-month sighting calendar.

When to go

Plan your great horned owl sighting in North Dakota

7,934 verified great horned owl records have been logged in North Dakota, most recently in 2026. 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 great horned owl sightings

11224–11282 39th St SW, Dickinson US-ND 46.84698, -102.82628 · 2026-07-19 20:55 · 1 seen
Fargo--Forest River Park · 2026-07-17 20:42 · 2 seen
140th Avenue Southeast, Fingal, North Dakota, US (46.778, -97.535)B · 2026-07-14 05:29 · 1 seen
I-94 W, Dickinson US-ND (46.8963,-102.8114) · 2026-07-10 21:38 · 1 seen
Odegaard Residence, White Earth, North Dakota, US (48.308, -102.771) · 2026-07-06 23:22 · 4 seen

Planning a trip to see great horned owl? Find places to stay near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site on Booking.com.

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