Are There Great Horned Owls in Utah?
Yes, great horned owls are common year-round residents throughout Utah. Found from the Wasatch Mountains to the red rock canyons of the south, these powerful predators thrive in the state's diverse habitats and are one of Utah's most successful large birds of prey.
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 · Rolf Lawrenz CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Daughter Dad CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Daughter Dad CC BY
- 1
- species recorded
- 25,156
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- May, April, June
- peak months
Yes, great horned owls are in Utah. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,351 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in Utah, most often in May, April, June.
When great horned owl are recorded in Utah
Yes, great horned owls are common year-round residents throughout Utah. Found from the Wasatch Mountains to the red rock canyons of the south, these powerful predators thrive in the state's diverse habitats and are one of Utah's most successful large birds of prey.
Where Great Horned Owls Live in Utah
Great horned owls occupy nearly every habitat across Utah, from the high elevation forests of the Uinta and Wasatch Mountains to the desert scrublands of the Colorado Plateau. In the northern part of the state, they inhabit the mixed conifer forests around the Bear River Mountains and the canyons of the Ogden and Weber River valleys. Central Utah's juniper and pinyon woodlands provide excellent habitat, and the owls are particularly abundant in the broken terrain around the San Rafael Swell and the Book Cliffs. The southern deserts, including areas near Zion National Park and Canyonlands National Park, support healthy populations in cottonwood groves along stream corridors and in rocky outcrops. The Great Salt Lake region's riparian areas and isolated stands of trees offer important roosting and nesting sites. Whether you visit the Jordanelle Reservoir area or the remote mesas near Monument Valley, great horned owls are remarkably well distributed. They adapt to suburban settings too, found regularly in Salt Lake City, St. George, and other communities where large trees provide shelter. Their presence across such varied elevations and habitats reflects their remarkable flexibility and hunting prowess. For more information about wildlife across the state, visitwildlife guides for Utah. Seethe Great Horned Owl guide for Utahfor more.
Seasons and Activity Patterns in Utah
Great horned owls in Utah are permanent residents, present every month of the year. They do not migrate, instead establishing territories and remaining in the same areas to breed and hunt year-round. Nesting activity begins remarkably early, with owls selecting nest sites and laying eggs starting in late December through early February, making them among Utah's earliest nesting birds. Eggs hatch in late February and March, and young owls fledge from late April through June. By late summer and fall, juveniles disperse to establish their own territories, sometimes traveling considerable distances from their birthplace. Fall and winter are excellent times to hear their deep hooting calls, particularly during the evening hours when the air is calm and sound travels well through canyons and across open country. Spring courtship calling intensifies in January and February as pairs reinforce their bonds. The persistence of great horned owls across all seasons makes them integral to Utah's predator ecology. Whether visiting during the snow-covered winters of the north or the mild desert winters of the south, the possibility of encountering one of these magnificent owls remains strong. You can learn more about Utah's year-round residents on theUtah wildlife hub.
Identifying a Great Horned Owl
Great horned owls are among Utah's largest owls, reaching up to 25 inches in length with a wingspan exceeding four feet. Their most distinctive features are the prominent ear tufts atop the head, though these are actually feathers and not true ears. Plumage varies considerably across individuals, ranging from light gray-brown to rufous to dark brown, with cryptic barring and streaking that provides excellent camouflage in trees. Most Utah birds show some degree of rusty coloring on the breast and belly. The facial disk is round and broad, with piercing yellow eyes that appear almost hypnotic, especially when the owl is startled or hunting. The dark cross-mark on the back of the head, visible in profile, adds to their fierce expression. Males are noticeably smaller than females, sometimes weighing half as much, though this size difference is difficult to judge when observing a single bird. The deep, resonant hooting call is unmistakable, typically a series of four to five hoots that often sounds like who-who-who-who or variations thereof. During flight, the broad, rounded wings and relatively short tail are evident, along with a characteristic heavy, powerful flight pattern distinct from other large owls. Silhouettes against the twilight sky or moonlight often reveal the prominent ear tufts, an unmistakable field mark that helps separate them from other Utah owls.
Where to Find Great Horned Owls in Utah
The best locations to encounter great horned owls in Utah depend on region and season. In the north, cottonwood groves along the Provo River, Spanish Fork River, and smaller creeks provide reliable hotspots, especially near parks and riparian corridors in Utah Valley. The foothills surrounding Salt Lake City, including areas near Mill Creek and the canyons draining the Wasatch Range, support healthy populations. Central Utah offers exceptional opportunities in the juniper-dominated landscapes around Salina Creek, San Rafael River valleys, and the Book Cliffs where rocky ledges provide nesting sites. The Escalante River system in southern Utah winds through canyon bottoms lined with cottonwoods, Douglas firs, and ponderosa pines that harbor great horned owls. Dead Horse Point State Park near Canyonlands offers overlooks and rim trails where owls sometimes perch on exposed rocks. Smaller lakes and reservoirs like Hyrum Reservoir, Strawberry Reservoir, and Paria-Rimrocks Wildlife Area provide water and prey concentrations that attract hunting owls. Desert communities like St. George and Moab, surrounded by red rock canyons and irrigated riparian areas, regularly host them. The most reliable time to hear and see them is just after sunset or before dawn when they vocalize and hunt. Moonlit nights increase chances of observation, as do visits to open country where silhouettes against the sky are visible. Exploring on foot along river corridors and through broken terrain typically yields better results than staying on main highways.
Behavior and Hunting Habits
Great horned owls are apex predators across Utah, commanding respect through their hunting prowess and flexibility. They hunt primarily at night, using silent flight powered by specially adapted feathers that muffle sound and keen hearing to locate prey in complete darkness. Their diet is remarkably diverse, including rabbits and hares that comprise the bulk of their meals, along with ground squirrels, prairie dogs, packrats, mice, and other rodents. They regularly capture small birds including grouse, quail, and songbirds, and occasionally hunt other raptors and owls. Voles, shrews, and insects round out their diet, making them adaptable to changing prey availability across seasons. A hunting owl perches high in a tree or atop a rock outcrop, scanning the ground methodically before striking at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour. Their powerful talons can penetrate skulls and crush spines, killing prey instantly. Great horned owls are solitary and territorial, with established pairs defending breeding territories that can exceed 100 square miles in open country. Pairs often perch together on cold nights, huddled for warmth and companionship. They are devoted parents, fiercely protecting eggs and young, and males contribute significantly to feeding the family during nesting season. Their presence in any ecosystem indicates healthy rodent populations and a balanced predator-prey relationship, which benefits the entire food web.
Coexistence and Safety
Great horned owls are legally protected throughout Utah under state wildlife regulations and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Harming, killing, or capturing them without specific permits is illegal. These powerful predators pose no threat to humans and should never be deliberately disturbed or harassed. Pets, particularly small dogs and cats left outdoors at night, can become prey for great horned owls, so pet owners in owl country should secure their animals indoors during dawn and dusk when owls hunt. Roosts and nest sites should be observed from a respectful distance, particularly during the breeding season from December through June. If you encounter a young owl on the ground during late spring or early summer, it is likely a fledgling capable of flying but still developing hunting skills, and parents are usually nearby providing care. Leaving fledglings alone allows the natural process to continue. Elderly or injured owls should not be approached; instead, contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for guidance. Removing potential perching spots or nesting sites on private property is a legal alternative if owls are considered problematic, though most coexist peacefully with people. Tree removal or demolition work should be timed outside the nesting season when possible. The presence of great horned owls actually benefits human communities by controlling rodent populations that might otherwise damage crops and spread disease. Understanding their role in Utah's ecosystem promotes healthy coexistence and appreciation for these remarkable predators.
Similar Species That Might Cause Confusion
Several other large owls live in Utah and might be mistaken for great horned owls, though careful observation reveals clear differences. The barred owl is smaller, weighing only half as much as a great horned owl, and lacks ear tufts entirely. Instead of the piercing yellow eyes of a great horned owl, barred owls have dark brown eyes and a less fierce expression. Their call is entirely different, a distinctive who-cooks-for-you pattern rather than the deep hooting of great horned owls. Barred owls favor wetter habitats with dense forest cover, particularly spruce and aspen stands in mountainous areas. The great gray owl is larger than the great horned owl and also lacks ear tufts, but it is an uncommon winter visitor to high elevations in Utah, found primarily above 8,000 feet. Its huge facial disk and dark eyes are distinctive. The long-eared owl is small and slender compared to great horned owls, weighing only a pound or so, and shows long ear tufts that are more vertical and less prominent than those of great horned owls. Long-eared owls inhabit dense conifer stands, often in riparian willows. Their call is a single mewing sound, not the powerful hooting of great horned owls. Short-eared owls are pale and heavily streaked, hunt over open grasslands during daylight, and have very different vocalizations. Learning these differences enhances wildlife observation skills and contributes to proper species identification acrossUtah's diverse habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a great horned owl's call sound like? The classic call is a series of four to five deep hoots, often rendered as who-who-who-who or hoo-hoo-hoo, sometimes preceded by a short bark-like note. Females have higher-pitched calls than males. During courtship and territorial disputes, pairs produce elaborate calling sequences that echo across canyons and valleys. Are great horned owls dangerous to people? Great horned owls are not aggressive toward humans and do not attack people. They are shy and elusive, avoiding human contact whenever possible. No documented cases of great horned owls attacking healthy adults exist in North America. Do great horned owls hunt during the day? While they are primarily nocturnal hunters, great horned owls sometimes hunt during twilight hours, particularly in winter when daylight is limited and prey must be found around the clock to meet energy demands. Overcast days might also trigger daytime hunting, though this is uncommon in Utah's generally clear skies. How can I attract great horned owls to my property? Maintaining dead trees and large branches for perching, avoiding rodent poison that can accumulate in their prey, and preserving open spaces with good sight lines for hunting are beneficial practices. However, these owls prefer wild spaces and typically avoid heavily developed areas, so their presence is not controllable through artificial means. Instead, supporting habitat protection and wildlife conservation efforts benefits these remarkable birds far more effectively than individual property modifications. Learn more about wildlife conservation acrossthe wildlife hub.
Plan your trip
Best time to see great horned owl in Utah: May, April, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your great horned owl sighting in Utah
25,156 verified great horned owl records have been logged in Utah, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Utah
- Bryce Canyon National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Capitol Reef National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cedar Breaks National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Dinosaur National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Zion National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Arches National Park · Find hotels
- Antelope Island SP · 322 species recorded
- Fish Springs NWR · 299 species recorded
- Lytle Ranch Preserve · 292 species recorded
- Willard Bay SP · 271 species recorded
- Bear River MBR--Auto Tour Loop · 267 species recorded
- Farmington Bay WMA · 262 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent great horned owl sightings
- City Creek Canyon--Memory Grove · 2026-07-19 21:53 · 3 seen
- Mt Timpanogos CG · 2026-07-19 21:38 · 1 seen
- 3800 Paradise Village Cir, Santa Clara US-UT 37.15316, -113.66415 · 2026-07-19 16:30 · 1 seen
- Bird Refuge Rd. · 2026-07-19 07:33 · 1 seen
- Antelope Island SP--Antelope Island (island only) · 2026-07-18 20:07 · 1 seen
More wildlife in Utah