7 Types of Owls in West Virginia

1. What kinds of owls can you find in West Virginia?

West Virginia hosts seven breeding owl species. The most widespread are the Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, and Eastern Screech-Owl. These three appear regularly in woods, suburbs, and forest edges throughout the state. Less common but possible include the Barn Owl (found in open farmland), Northern Saw-whet Owl (high-elevation conifers), Long-eared Owl (deciduous and mixed forests), and Short-eared Owl (grasslands and wetlands, especially in winter).

Resident birds stick around all year, though some like the Short-eared Owl appear more in winter. Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls hold territories year-round in West Virginia forests. Screech-Owls remain resident, though their populations shift seasonally between higher and lower elevations. Most sightings improve when you match your first stop to the most useful ID markers, likely lookalikes, and preferred habitat. Use thestate wildlife huband theowl route guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in.

2. Where in West Virginia do people usually see owls first?

Forests with mature trees near rivers or lakes are your best bet. Monongahela National Forest, the New River Gorge area, and state parks like Blackwater Falls and Babcock consistently turn up Barred and Great Horned Owls. Screech-Owls favor suburban edges with old woodlots, especially where dead trees remain standing. Open farmland with barns or silos hosts Barn Owls in spring and summer, though sightings are rare. Wetlands and grasslands near marshes bring Short-eared Owls, particularly between October and March.

Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build your search around where in the state people usually notice owls first, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls, and watch for edge movement rather than jumping to a totally new area too early.

3. What are the best times of year and day to spot owls in West Virginia?

Late winter (February to March) is prime owl call season, as owls pair up and defend territories. Dawn and dusk are the most active periods for hunting, but Barred Owls will call during overcast afternoons and even on drizzly days. Night hikes with a red flashlight improve your odds of hearing calls and spotting eye-shine. Winter is generally better than summer because leaves are off the trees, giving you clearer views and better light penetration. Spring brings territorial calling; fall and early winter bring migrants and seasonal residents.

For a deeper dive on owl behavior and seasonal patterns, visit ourowl hub. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step in planning.

4. How can you tell a Barred Owl from a Great Horned Owl by sight?

Barred Owls are slightly smaller, round-headed, and lack ear tufts. Their eyes are dark brown, and their chest has horizontal barring with vertical streaks below. Great Horned Owls have prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a more mottled appearance overall. Both are large, but the Great Horned is bulkier and more heavily built. Voice is also a giveaway: Barred Owls say 'Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?' while Great Horneds give a deep, five-note hoot that sounds like 'hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo.' In flight, the Barred Owl has a longer tail and rounder wings, while the Great Horned has a shorter tail and more angular wings.

5. What does an Eastern Screech-Owl look like, and where does it hide?

Eastern Screech-Owls are small, only 6 to 10 inches tall, with ear tufts and two color morphs: gray and rufous (reddish-brown). They have yellow eyes and a cryptic pattern that blends perfectly with tree bark, making them hard to spot even when perched in plain sight. They roost in tree cavities or nest boxes during the day, which is why installing a nest box can attract them to your yard. Listen for their soft, descending whinny or a steady trill at night, often in duets. Despite their name, screech-owls don't actually screech; their call is a series of quick whinnies or warbles.

6. Which West Virginia owl species are rarest or most secretive?

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is the smallest owl in West Virginia, at about 7 to 8 inches, but it is highly secretive and mostly found in high-elevation conifer forests. Most sightings happen by chance or when owls roost low during migration. Long-eared Owls are also cryptic, hiding in dense deciduous and mixed forests where they are easily mistaken for branch stubs. Short-eared Owls favor open grasslands and wetlands and are more visible in flight, but they are most common October through March. Barn Owls are uncommon and declining, restricted to open farmland with old barns or silos in spring and summer. These rarer species require patience, knowledge of their preferred habitats, and often a bit of luck.

7. What field marks help you identify owls from a distance?

Size and shape are your first clues. Great Horned Owls are the largest and bulkiest, with prominent ear tufts visible from far away. Barred Owls are medium-sized, round-headed, and lack tufts. Screech-Owls are small and compact with obvious tufts. Short-eared Owls often hunt in daylight and have a buffy appearance with a dark carpal patch on the underwing. Eye color matters too: Great Horned Owls have bright yellow eyes, Barred Owls have dark brown eyes, and Screech-Owls have yellow eyes. Listen for distinctive calls: the Barred Owl's 'Who cooks for you?' and the Great Horned's deep hooting are unmistakable once you learn them.

8. Even without a sighting, you can bring owls home with art and accessories

If you haven't seen an owl yet, keep trying. Meanwhile, these owl-themed items make great additions to your nature collection.

Handcrafted Stoneware Owl Mug | Guatemalan Coffee Cup, 16 oz

Hand-molded ceramic mug in warm cream with folk art owl design. Perfect for your morning coffee while birding.Check Price and Availability

Cute Animals Sticker Pack | High Quality Water Resistant Stickers

Simple line-art owl sticker on matte vinyl. Great for journals and laptops.Check Price and Availability

Wild Animal Magnet Set 3D Gold

Woodland owl magnet with rustic wood grain background. Handmade in USA.Check Price and Availability

For more owl-inspired decor, browse ourbird wall art collection.

9. How can nest boxes help owls in West Virginia?

Screech-Owls and Barn Owls both use nest boxes, especially where tree cavities are scarce or barns are less available. A simple box with a 1.5-inch hole attracts Screech-Owls, while Barn Owls prefer larger boxes with a 6-inch opening. Mounting boxes 10 to 20 feet high in quiet areas away from human disturbance improves success. Check and clean boxes in late fall after fledglings leave. Avoid rodenticides in areas where owls hunt, as they poison owls through contaminated prey. Leaving dead trees standing and preserving snags provides natural roost and nest sites for all owl species.

10. Are there barn owls in West Virginia? Why are they so rare?

Yes, but Barn Owls are rare and declining in West Virginia. They need open farmland with old barns or silos and open grassland for hunting. Most of West Virginia is forested, which is why Barred and Great Horned Owls dominate. Barn Owls prefer the open agricultural landscapes of the Midwest and Great Plains. In West Virginia, your best chance is in the Eastern Panhandle and scattered farmland valleys where fields remain open. Habitat loss, rodenticide use, and vehicle collisions all contribute to their decline.

11. What is the smallest owl in West Virginia?

The Northern Saw-whet Owl, at about 7 to 8 inches tall, is the smallest owl species in West Virginia. Despite its size, it has a fearsome appetite and hunts small mice, shrews, and insects. Saw-whets are secretive forest owls found mostly in high-elevation conifer stands, especially spruce and fir. They are rarely seen during the day because they roost in dense foliage or tree cavities. In winter, they sometimes roost lower and more conspicuously, giving birders occasional chances to spot them. Their call is a repetitive 'toot-toot-toot' that sounds almost mechanical.

12. Can I attract owls to my backyard? What should I do?

Yes, with effort and patience. Install a screech-owl nest box (1.5-inch entrance hole) or a larger Barn Owl box if you have open ground nearby. Place boxes 10 to 20 feet high on poles or trees away from disturbance. Avoid using rodenticides or pesticides, as they poison owls through contaminated prey. Keep dead trees standing if safe, as they provide roost and nest sites. Plant native shrubs and leave some brush piles to shelter mice, voles, and insects that owls hunt. Reduce outdoor lighting at night, which disrupts owl activity and can attract prey elsewhere. Most importantly, listen for calls and stay alert to roosting birds; you may already have owls nearby that you haven't noticed yet.