Owls in Wyoming: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them
Owls are widespread in Wyoming, with several species including Great Horned, Barn, and Burrowing Owls. Best bets are the grasslands of the east, forests in the west, and around sunrise/sunset. Start by scanning fence posts and tree lines near open fields.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Great Gray Owl · Whitney Brook Matson CC BY
Great Gray Owl · anguspritchard CC BY
Great Gray Owl · John G. Phillips CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 12,759
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- May, June, July
- peak months
Yes, owls are in Wyoming. Next you'll want:
What owl sound like
Verified field recordings from Xeno-canto. Press play to hear the calls birders listen for in the field.
Northern Saw-whet Owl · alarm call, wail
0:05Bridgeport State Park, Okanogan County, Washington · © Bruce Lagerquist CC BY-NC-SA · XC450314
Burrowing Owl · call
0:05Calipatria, Imperial County, California · © Paul Marvin CC BY-NC-SA · XC143782
Elf Owl · call
0:06Riverside, California · © Tim Schreckengost CC BY-NC-SA · XC135243
Verified species, source iNaturalist
9 types of owls recorded in Wyoming
9 owl species have a verified observation record in Wyoming across the owl order (Strigiformes), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Plus 4 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
720 verified observations on iNaturalist of owl have been recorded in Wyoming, most often in May, June, July.
When owl are recorded in Wyoming
Owls are widespread in Wyoming, with several species including Great Horned, Barn, and Burrowing Owls. Best bets are the grasslands of the east, forests in the west, and around sunrise/sunset. Start by scanning fence posts and tree lines near open fields.
Where in Wyoming are owl sightings most likely?
Owls in Wyoming favor a mix of open grasslands and woodlands. You'll find Great Horned Owls in cottonwood stands along rivers, while Burrowing Owls inhabit prairie dog towns in the eastern plains. The Bighorn Mountains and Yellowstone area host Boreal and Great Gray Owls in coniferous forests. Start with the Thunder Basin National Grassland or the Laramie Valley for reliable sightings.
In Wyoming, owls sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
What is the best season and time of day to see owls?
Owl activity peaks at dawn and dusk, especially from late winter through early spring when they are nesting. Winter is excellent for spotting Great Horned Owls since trees are bare. Summer evenings offer good chances for listening to calls. Avoid midday: owls are mostly inactive then. Use a flashlight with a red filter to scan roosting spots after dark.
How do you identify Wyoming owls based on size and markings?
Size and ear tufts are key. Great Horned Owls have prominent tufts and yellow eyes, while Barn Owls have a white heart-shaped face. Burrowing Owls are small and long-legged, often seen on the ground. Compare with hawks: owls have bulky heads, forward-facing eyes, and silent flight. Check ourowl identification guidefor side-by-side comparisons.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
Which owl species are most common in Wyoming?
The Great Horned Owl is the most widespread, found statewide. Barn Owls are common in agricultural valleys like the Big Horn Basin. Burrowing Owls are local but easy to spot in shortgrass prairies. Other species include the Northern Saw-whet Owl in forests and the Short-eared Owl over open fields at dusk. For tracking sightings, visit theWyoming wildlife page.
What are the best tips for spotting owls in Wyoming?
Listen for their calls at dusk: the classic hoot of a Great Horned or the screech of a Barn Owl. Watch for whitewash (droppings) under trees and look for silhouettes on fence posts. Use binoculars to scan dense branches. Playback calls can work but use sparingly to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Join local Audubon groups for guided owl prowls.
What are some owl-themed art and gifts to remember your trip?
After a successful owl sighting, bring home a piece of Wyoming's wildlife. Ourbird wall art collectionfeatures detailed owl prints. For a daily reminder, try the Handcrafted Stoneware Owl Mug from Guatemala, with its warm folk art design. ### Handcrafted Stoneware Owl Mug | Guatemalan Coffee Cup, 16 oz
This 16 oz ceramic mug brings a bright eyed owl to your morning coffee. Hand molded and painted, it's a sturdy piece of functional art.Check Price and Availability
Cute Animals Sticker Pack | High Quality Water Resistant Stickers
A simple line-art owl sticker with matte vinyl finish. Perfect for journals, laptops, or field notebooks.Check Price and Availability
Wild Animal Magnet Set 3D Gold Lion Tiger
A woodland owl magnet with rustic wood grain background, handmade in the USA. Great for your fridge or locker.Check Price and Availability
What is the best time of year to see owls in Wyoming?
Late winter and early spring offer the best odds because owls are more vocal during courtship and nesting. Great Horned Owls start nesting in February. Fall migration can bring rare species like the Long-eared Owl. Summer is good for night visits to active nest sites. Check field reports on theWyoming wildlife pagefor current activity.
Are there owl research programs in Wyoming I can join?
Yes. The Wyoming Natural Diversity Database and local Audubon chapters run owl surveys. You can volunteer for the Burrowing Owl Conservation Project in the eastern plains. Citizen science initiatives like eBird help track owl sightings. Visit ourowl resource hubfor links to programs and data collection tips.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see owl in Wyoming: May, June, July
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your owl sighting in Wyoming
12,759 verified 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 · 234 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).
Frequently asked questions
What owl species live in Wyoming?+
Owls in Wyoming favor a mix of open grasslands and woodlands. You'll find Great Horned Owls in cottonwood stands along rivers, while Burrowing Owls inhabit prairie dog towns in the eastern plains. The Bighorn Mountains and Yellowstone area host Boreal and Great Gray Owls in coniferous forests. Start with the Thunder Basin National Grassland or the Laramie Valley for reliable sightings. In Wyoming, owls sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where can you see owls in Wyoming?+
Owls in Wyoming favor a mix of open grasslands and woodlands. You'll find Great Horned Owls in cottonwood stands along rivers, while Burrowing Owls inhabit prairie dog towns in the eastern plains. The Bighorn Mountains and Yellowstone area host Boreal and Great Gray Owls in coniferous forests. Start with the Thunder Basin National Grassland or the Laramie Valley for reliable sightings. In Wyoming, owls sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
When is the best time to see owls in Wyoming?+
Owls in Wyoming favor a mix of open grasslands and woodlands. You'll find Great Horned Owls in cottonwood stands along rivers, while Burrowing Owls inhabit prairie dog towns in the eastern plains. The Bighorn Mountains and Yellowstone area host Boreal and Great Gray Owls in coniferous forests. Start with the Thunder Basin National Grassland or the Laramie Valley for reliable sightings. In Wyoming, owls sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where in the state sightings are most likely. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Keep exploring
More places to see owl
More wildlife in Wyoming
Common questions about owls