Are There Great Horned Owls in Wyoming?
Yes, Great Horned Owls are common year-round residents throughout Wyoming, from the high mountain ranges to the sagebrush plains and river valleys. These large nocturnal predators thrive in the state's diverse habitats ranging from coniferous forests to desert shrublands. They are among Wyoming'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 · Harry Podschwit CC BY
Great Horned Owl · jakeschneider00 CC BY-SA
Great Horned Owl · Public domain CC0
- 1
- species recorded
- 9,007
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- May, June, July
- peak months
Yes, great horned owls are in Wyoming. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
531 verified observations on iNaturalist of great horned owl have been recorded in Wyoming, most often in May, June, July.
When great horned owl are recorded in Wyoming
Yes, Great Horned Owls are common year-round residents throughout Wyoming, from the high mountain ranges to the sagebrush plains and river valleys. These large nocturnal predators thrive in the state's diverse habitats ranging from coniferous forests to desert shrublands. They are among Wyoming's most widespread and adaptable owl species.
Where Great Horned Owls Live in Wyoming
Great Horned Owls are found throughout Wyoming's varied landscape. In the Rocky Mountains, particularly the Bighorn Mountains, Medicine Bow Mountains, and Absaroka Range, they inhabit coniferous and mixed forests at elevations from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The Tetons and surrounding national forest lands provide excellent habitat. The Wind River Range hosts populations in both forested and open alpine areas. Central and northern Wyoming's sagebrush plains and rolling grasslands support populations adapted to open country. The Powder River Basin and surrounding areas provide sagebrush habitat with scattered trees. Southern Wyoming's high desert regions, including areas around the Laramie Range and Medicine Bow National Forest, host year-round populations. River valleys throughout Wyoming, particularly the Yellowstone River, Snake River, North Platte River, and Bighorn River valleys, concentrate populations in riparian habitat. The Washakie Basin and other intermountain valleys provide suitable habitat. Near Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, Great Horned Owls are common residents. Agricultural and ranching areas throughout Wyoming, with scattered trees and windbreaks, support populations. Even the most remote backcountry and high mountain elevations above 10,000 feet may host these adaptable owls during warmer months.
Seasons and Timing in Wyoming
Great Horned Owls remain in Wyoming throughout the year, making them one of the state's true permanent resident owl species. However, some movement occurs seasonally, with birds from higher elevations and northern regions moving to lower elevations during harsh winters. Calling activity begins in fall and peaks from November through February. In late September and October, Great Horned Owls begin establishing territories and pairs become increasingly vocal. By November and December, calling reaches high intensity as pairs prepare for breeding. January and February feature the most constant and intense hooting calls. Winter is the season when you are most likely to hear Great Horned Owls throughout Wyoming. Breeding activity begins in late fall and winter. Pairs begin nesting in December and January, with eggs laid in January and February. Incubation continues through winter with hatching in March and April. Young owls fledge from nests by June and July. Summer and early fall, from June through September, is when young owls learn to hunt in their natal territories. By late September and October, young owls have become independent and may disperse to new territories. This cycle allows young owls to practice hunting skills during Wyoming's season of maximum prey availability.
How to Identify Great Horned Owls
Great Horned Owls are Wyoming's largest resident owl species, with adult females reaching wingspans exceeding five feet. Their most distinctive features are the prominent ear tufts on the crown of the head. Their eyes are large, forward-facing, and typically yellow to golden-yellow in color. The facial disc is relatively flat and rounded. Their plumage ranges from grayish-brown to dark brown, with barring and streaking throughout. Wyoming Great Horned Owls tend toward gray and brown colorations with dark markings. Their powerful legs are feathered nearly to the foot pads. Their large hooked beak is dark and partially concealed by facial feathers. Females are visibly larger than males, sometimes weighing 50 percent more than males. Their most distinctive characteristic is their deep, resonant hooting call that sounds like 'hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo.' This call is rich and full-bodied and carries far across Wyoming's open country and mountain valleys. The call is audible for several miles in calm conditions. Males produce higher-pitched versions than females. The call is one of Wyoming's most distinctive nighttime sounds and is the easiest way to identify the species with certainty.
Where Sightings Are Most Common in Wyoming
Great Horned Owls concentrate in specific habitats throughout Wyoming. The mountains, particularly the Bighorn Mountains between Sheridan and Buffalo, provide prime habitat with forests and open meadows. The Medicine Bow National Forest east and west of Laramie hosts populations. Snowy Range areas and surrounding forests support these owls. The Absaroka Range and areas surrounding Yellowstone National Park have healthy populations. Grand Teton National Park and surrounding national forest lands provide excellent habitat with both forests and open areas. The Snake River valley and Jackson Lake areas host populations. The Shoshone National Forest in northwestern Wyoming provides extensive suitable habitat. River valleys throughout Wyoming concentrate populations, particularly the Yellowstone, Snake, North Platte, Bighorn, and Powder rivers. Agricultural areas of northern Wyoming, particularly around Sheridan, Buffalo, and Gillette, support populations. Sagebrush areas of central and southern Wyoming, despite being seemingly barren, support Great Horned Owls in scattered locations. Ponds and irrigation reservoirs in agricultural regions attract these owls. State Wildlife Areas managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department often harbor these owls. Listening during evening and night hours in any location with trees and open hunting ground offers chances to hear these owls.
Behavior and Hunting Habits
Great Horned Owls are skilled nocturnal hunters active throughout Wyoming. They hunt exclusively at night, perching on tall trees, utility poles, or rock outcrops before diving onto prey with talons fully extended. In Wyoming, their primary diet consists of rabbits and hares, particularly Snowshoe Hares in mountain regions and Black-tailed Jackrabbits in open country. Hares often make up more than half their annual food intake. They also hunt ground squirrels, prairie dogs, pocket gophers, voles, mice, and rats. Raptors including other owls and hawks are occasionally hunted. Muskrats and beaver kits are taken near water bodies. Waterfowl including ducks and geese are hunted when available. Great Horned Owls maintain established territories that they may occupy for many years. Breeding pairs remain together long-term, often for life. These owls do not build their own nests but take over old nests of hawks, eagles, or ravens, or use natural cavities in large dead trees. Pairs often return to the same nest site year after year. During winter, pairs engage in duetting behavior where both birds vocalize together in coordinated patterns. Young owls learn to hunt through trial and error after leaving the nest. Parents provide increasingly difficult prey as young learn hunting skills. The learning period extends through summer and early fall.
Living Alongside Great Horned Owls
Great Horned Owls are protected wildlife in Wyoming under state law and federal regulations. They may not be hunted or captured without special permits. These large owls pose no threat to humans and actively avoid populated areas. They rarely come into conflict with property owners or residents. They may occasionally prey on small outdoor pets, particularly unattended cats and small dogs left outside at night, though such incidents are uncommon in Wyoming. Most people living in Great Horned Owl habitat never encounter the bird directly. These owls are beneficial predators that control rodent populations. Ranchers and farmers often appreciate Great Horned Owls because they control prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other rodents that damage pastures and rangelands. The owls' role in maintaining ecological balance makes them valuable. If you find an injured, sick, or dead Great Horned Owl, contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for guidance. Dead owls can provide valuable population data. Supporting habitat conservation by protecting large dead trees and old-growth forests helps maintain healthy populations. ExploreWyoming wildlifeand learn about all native birds through our comprehensivewildlife guide.
Similar Species and Confusion
Wyoming's large owls can sometimes be confused with Great Horned Owls, though distinct field marks help distinguish them. The Short-eared Owl hunts Wyoming grasslands during daylight and is considerably smaller than Great Horned Owls. The Long-eared Owl, a resident in Wyoming shrublands, is smaller with more delicate ear tufts. The Barn Owl, found in some Wyoming agricultural areas, has a distinctive heart-shaped face and is smaller. Snowy Owls occasionally visit Wyoming in winter from Arctic regions and are pale or white colored. The Burrowing Owl of Wyoming grasslands is much smaller and hunts during the day near ground burrows. The Northern Pygmy-Owl and other small owl species are much smaller. Young Bald Eagles or Golden Eagles seen in poor light might be confused with large owls, but they lack ear tufts and have different body proportions. Learning field marks of each species ensures accurate identification. The prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes of the Great Horned Owl are usually diagnostic in Wyoming. See ourWyoming wildlife guidefor detailed identification help and comparison with other raptors.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I listen for Great Horned Owls in Wyoming? The best time to hear Great Horned Owls in Wyoming is from September through February, with peak activity in December, January, and February. They call most frequently in early evening and throughout the night hours. Are Great Horned Owls found in Wyoming's towns and cities? Yes, Great Horned Owls live in and near Wyoming's towns, particularly in areas with parks and wooded neighborhoods. Larger towns like Laramie and Casper with sufficient trees support these owls. They hunt at night and roost in tall trees during the day. Do Great Horned Owls stay in Wyoming through all seasons? Yes, Great Horned Owls that breed in Wyoming remain year-round. However, some movement occurs seasonally. Birds from higher elevations may move to lower elevations in winter, and northern populations may move south. Most breeding birds stay in Wyoming. How can I attract Great Horned Owls to my Wyoming property? Great Horned Owls are attracted to areas with abundant rodent populations and large trees for roosting. Maintaining wooded areas, avoiding rodent poison that could harm the owls, and providing water sources can support populations. For more information, explore our comprehensiveWyoming wildlife guideand find all native owl and raptor species. Check ournational wildlife guidefor more raptor information.
Plan your trip
Best time to see great horned owl in Wyoming: May, June, July
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your great horned owl sighting in Wyoming
9,007 verified great horned owl records have been logged in Wyoming, most recently in 2026. 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 · 232 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).
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