Are There Barred Owls in Wyoming?
Barred Owls are rare and occasional visitors to Wyoming, not year-round residents as in most eastern states. These owls have not established populations in Wyoming's interior, as the state's drier climate and forest structure do not provide ideal habitat.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.
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Barred Owls are rare in Wyoming, so you might also want:
Barred Owls are rare and occasional visitors to Wyoming, not year-round residents as in most eastern states. These owls have not established populations in Wyoming's interior, as the state's drier climate and forest structure do not provide ideal habitat.
Where Barred Owls Rarely Occur in Wyoming
Barred Owls are extremely rare in Wyoming and do not occupy suitable habitat as they do throughout the eastern United States. The few documented sightings come from the northwestern mountains where habitat approaches the species' requirements. The Absaroka Range on the northern border and Teton Range near Jackson Hole represent the most likely locations for rare Barred Owl occurrence. These areas have higher moisture, riparian forests, and forest structure closer to western forest types where Barred Owls occasionally venture. Wind River Range forests and associated drainage systems have produced rare sightings. The Bighorn Mountains in north-central Wyoming and adjacent slopes represent marginal habitat where vagrancy is possible. The Black Hills region in northeastern Wyoming near the South Dakota border has hosted rare records. Lower elevation river valleys including the Snake River corridor and Green River valleys are the most productive areas, though sightings remain infrequent. Wyoming's vast sagebrush, grasslands, and ponderosa pine forests lack the dense canopy structure and high moisture that Barred Owls require. The species remains fundamentally unsuitable for most of Wyoming's landscape. Any Wyoming Barred Owl represents a vagrant individual from western populations rather than an established resident. Seethe Barred Owl guide for Wyomingfor more.
When Barred Owls Might Appear in Wyoming
Barred Owls do not establish breeding populations in Wyoming and show no clear seasonal pattern of occurrence. Rare sightings happen sporadically, often in fall or winter when young birds disperse from birth territories or when weather pushes birds to new locations. Fall months from September through November produce occasional sightings as juvenile Barred Owls from Idaho and Montana populations explore beyond their established ranges. Winter months sometimes bring sightings, particularly during years with extreme weather or food scarcity that motivates dispersal. Spring and summer sightings are exceptionally rare, as any Barred Owl in Wyoming during breeding season would be far from suitable nesting habitat. If a Barred Owl does occur in Wyoming, it represents a single vagrant or displaced individual, not an established territory or pair. There is no breeding season population to detect in Wyoming, no predictable calling times, and no consistent locations where observers can find Barred Owls. Any Wyoming sighting is an accidental occurrence, valuable for documenting range expansion patterns, but not indicative of habitat suitability or population establishment. Your chances of encountering a Barred Owl in Wyoming are extremely low. Seethe Wyoming wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify a Barred Owl
Barred Owls are large stocky owls without ear tufts, weighing one to one and a half pounds and measuring sixteen to twenty-five inches in length with wingspans reaching nearly four feet. The distinctive plumage features dark brown and gray horizontal barring across the entire body, including the head, back, wings, breast, and belly, creating a heavily mottled appearance. Their facial disk is nearly round and relatively flat, with large dark brown eyes positioned forward on the face and set prominently in a darker facial ring. Their legs are fully feathered down to the large sharp talons. Barred Owls lack ear tufts, which immediately distinguishes them from Great Horned Owls common in Wyoming. Their unmistakable call is a loud series of hoots described as who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all, often delivered as a rapid eight-hoot series. Males and females appear similar, though females are larger than males. Juveniles resemble adults but may appear slightly fluffier. In flight, Barred Owls display broad rounded wings and a relatively short tail. If you see or hear a Barred Owl in Wyoming, its distinctive dark eyes, barred plumage pattern, and lack of ear tufts will confirm the identification. The loud hooting call is unmistakable and unlike any other Wyoming owl sound. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.
Unlikely Locations for Wyoming Barred Owl Encounters
If a Barred Owl were to occur in Wyoming, it would most likely be found in the state's most forested areas with riparian elements. The Jackson Hole area and Teton National Forest provide the closest habitat to what Barred Owls prefer, with mixed coniferous and aspen forests and the Snake River riparian corridor. The greater Yellowstone ecosystem surrounding Yellowstone National Park, while forested, does not provide optimal Barred Owl habitat due to forest composition and elevation. The Absaroka Range foothills east of Yellowstone and north of Cody contain forests that occasionally produce sightings. The Wind River Range vicinity and riparian valleys provide marginal habitat where a vagrant might appear. The Bighorn Mountains drainage systems and river valleys offer slightly higher moisture than surrounding areas. The Black Hills in extreme northeastern Wyoming and associated pine forests represent far eastern reaches where population fringe effects might occasionally produce sightings. Riparian areas along the Green River in southwestern Wyoming, the Bear River system, and other river bottoms are more likely than surrounding uplands. However, all Wyoming locations should be considered unlikely, and any confirmed Barred Owl sighting represents a significant range expansion event worth reporting to wildlife agencies. Seethe Barred Owl guide for Wyomingfor more.
Why Barred Owls Rarely or Never Occur in Wyoming
Barred Owls depend on dense forest canopy, mature trees, riparian corridors, and high moisture for survival and successful hunting. Wyoming's landscape is fundamentally mismatched to these requirements across most of the state. Wyoming's interior consists primarily of sagebrush grasslands, shrubsteppe, and open ponderosa pine forests without the dense canopy or understory structure Barred Owls require. Elevation is generally too high for Barred Owls, which prefer lower to mid-elevation forests. Forest composition differs from eastern deciduous forests or Pacific Northwest forests where Barred Owls thrive. Moisture is insufficient in Wyoming's semi-arid climate. Riparian forests, while present, are narrow and discontinuous, providing inadequate territory size or hunting habitat. Small mammal prey availability may be lower than in traditional Barred Owl range. The species has historically been absent from Wyoming, with documented range extending into western Idaho and Montana but not reliably into Wyoming. Barred Owls are expanding their range northward and westward, but Wyoming remains outside the natural expansion corridor. The intervening landscape of northeastern Oregon and central Idaho represents their western limits. Any Barred Owl in Wyoming represents a dispersing individual, not range expansion establishment. Seethe Wyoming wildlife guidefor more.
How to Respond to a Barred Owl Sighting in Wyoming
If you encounter a Barred Owl in Wyoming, report the sighting immediately to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Provide detailed information including exact location, date, time, and description of the bird and circumstances. Documentation of any Barred Owl in Wyoming is valuable for understanding range expansion patterns and deserves immediate attention from wildlife professionals. Photograph or record audio if possible without disturbing the bird. Note whether the bird appears injured, healthy, or emaciated, as this context helps agencies understand whether it represents a healthy vagrant or a bird in distress. Note the forest type and habitat where the bird was found. Barred Owls are protected under federal law and Wyoming state regulations, so leave the bird undisturbed if encountered. Do not attempt capture or handling. If the bird appears injured or in distress, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Healthy vagrants should be left alone to move on naturally. Your observation provides valuable scientific data on species distribution and population dynamics. Report to local Audubon Society chapters or eBird if you wish to share the sighting with the broader birding group. Any confirmed Barred Owl in Wyoming represents a noteworthy record.
Similar Species You Might Confuse with Barred Owls
Wyoming residents and visitors should understand which owl species might be confused with the rare Barred Owl. The Great Horned Owl is much larger, roughly twice the Barred Owl's size, displays prominent ear tufts, and produces a deeper hooting call. Great Horned Owls are common throughout Wyoming. The Short-eared Owl inhabits open grasslands and marshes with different facial markings and behavior. The Long-eared Owl has prominent ear tufts and different plumage patterns and is uncommon in Wyoming. The Northern Screech Owl is much smaller and far rarer. The Barn Owl has a distinctive white heart-shaped face and hunts in open country, not forests. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is tiny and produces a tooting call, found rarely at higher elevations. The Northern Pygmy Owl is very small and lacks the Barred Owl's large size and dark eyes. With familiarity, the Barred Owl's distinctive stocky build, round head, barred plumage, large dark eyes, and loud who-cooks-for-you call would be unmistakable if encountered in Wyoming, differentiating it clearly from all Wyoming resident owls.
Questions People Ask About Wyoming and Barred Owls
Are Barred Owls native to Wyoming? No, Barred Owls have no historical presence in Wyoming. They are eastern and Pacific Northwest species. Will Barred Owls colonize Wyoming? Unlikely. The species remains poorly adapted to Wyoming's climate and forest types. If I see a Barred Owl in Wyoming, should I report it? Yes, absolutely. Report any Wyoming Barred Owl sighting to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department immediately. Why would a Barred Owl be in Wyoming? Vagrant individuals disperse from western populations in Idaho and Montana. Young birds exploring new territories sometimes wander into marginal habitat. Could Barred Owls survive Wyoming winters? Healthy individuals could survive briefly, but Wyoming lacks the forest habitat and prey base for long-term survival. Any Wyoming Barred Owl would be a temporary visitor. What other owl species live in Wyoming? Great Horned Owls, Short-eared Owls, Long-eared Owls, Barn Owls, Northern Pygmy Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls, and occasionally other species are documented. How do I distinguish a vagrant Barred Owl from other Wyoming owls? The dark eyes, barred plumage, lack of ear tufts, and distinctive loud hooting call separate it from all Wyoming residents.
Plan your barred owl sighting in Wyoming
9 verified barred owl records have been logged in Wyoming, most recently in 2023. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Devils Tower National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fossil Butte National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Grand Teton National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Yellowstone National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- California National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Wyoming Hereford Ranch · 274 species recorded
- Hutton Lake NWR · 235 species recorded
- Laramie River Greenbelt Trail · 233 species recorded
- Wyoming Hereford Ranch Reservoir #1 · 229 species recorded
- Lions Park (Cheyenne) · 228 species recorded
- McManamen Park · 228 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
More wildlife in Wyoming