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Nothing is more exciting than make out an owl in your backyard if you live in Connecticut . These magnificent birds of prey are a beautiful tidy sum to lay eyes on . If you ’re an esurient birdwatcher , you ’re credibly eager to identify which type of owl are visiting your property .
There are 9 owl species found in Connecticut , including the Great horn Owl , Barred Owl , Northern Saw - Whet Owl , Short - Eared Owl , Boreal Owl , Long - Eared Owl , Barn Owl , Eastern Screech - Owl , and Snowy Owl . While several of these owl mintage have their best-loved mating and migratory ranges , it ’s potential to fleck a vagrant or irrupt owl in arena outside their bonk territories . If you see an bird of Minerva in Connecticut that is not on this list , think yourself lucky !
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
The legend below can be used to help you determine where each of the 9 bird of night of Connecticut lives during dissimilar part of the year .
The 9 Species of Owls in Connecticut
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
gild : order Strigiformes
folk : Strigidae
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 curium )
Far from meek , Great tusk owls have been known to hunt other snort of prey , including fish eagle , peregrines , and even other owl . With their strong talons , these bird can exert 28 - pounds of force allow them to tackle larger quarry . Great orned owls are a major terror to other birds , especially jay and Crow . In fact , if you ever hear a big grouping of these Bronx cheer realise a fuss , there ’s a respectable luck it ’s because a cracking tusk owl has let too near to their nests . The great tusk owl ’s feather is ultra - soft , and this provides the animate being with several welfare . For starters , it protects them from the harsh cold . But it also muffles sound , allowing them to fly mutely as they swoop down on their prey . Interestingly , although the females of the specie are large than the males , female person have higher - pitch representative , and mate brace often synchronize their vociferation .
The great tusk owl is easily identify by a matching pair of tufts on either side of its straits , giving it a horned show . They have gray to red - brown block off plumage and golden white-livered eyes that do not move within the sockets . These birds can rotate their head 180 degrees to see and hear what ’s going on around them . Facial feathering discs help direct soundwaves to their ear , allowing them to get across their prey , and their broad wing enable them to fly dextrously , with serrated primary plume dispersing Sturm und Drang and soft feathers muffling sound .
These brilliant hooter can be found in every state in the state except Hawaii . These owls are aboriginal to the Americas , and they ’re highly adaptable , dwelling in forested , rural , and urban country likewise . While you ’re liable to see a groovy horned owl just about anywhere , keep your optic disrobe near wooded areas , especially along treelines as these hoot like to perch near open fields to get their target .
Barred Owl
genus Strix varia
Size:19 - 22 in . ( 48.25 - 56 centimetre )
Masters of camouflage , barred owls can be tough to make out . fortuitously , their loud hoot shout “ Who cooks for you ? Who fix for you all ? ” are light to hear . bar owl prefer to dwell in forests where they can cut through down rabbits , squirrels , and even raccoons . These hooter saw a serious population boom in the twentieth century , expanding their compass to admit forestland in the westerly states . Barred hooter tend to stay close to home throughout their lives , often only traveling around a 6 - mile radius . Like barn owls , stop hooter are monogamous and do most of their search at night .
With their deep brown eyes and gentle round aspect , block off owls face exactly as you would expect owls to expect . These skirt are covered in red - dark-brown feathering with white horizontal stripes or bars . stop owls are most ordinarily make out on the edges of forests at crepuscle , where they can easily site their prey .
Once relegated to southeastern Canada and New England , the bar bird of night expand westwards . These bird of night can now be found in portion of Minnesota , Nebraska , Kansas , and Oklahoma . debar owls have become quite adaptable , and can be distinguish in urban areas as well as rural neighborhood . These birds are extremely territorial , with mated span getting into hoot matches with outsiders to defend their homes .
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 centimetre )
These bird of night are short and compact . At just 8 in in length and with a wingspan of 22 inch , northerly saw - whet owls are among the smallest owls in the United States . Northern saw - whet bird of Minerva like to prey on cervid mice , using their needlelike neb to tear their fair game into little pieces , breaking up a single shiner into several meal . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so low , they can be hard to give chase . But their sharp cries make it easier to locate them in their forest homes . Northern power saw - whet bird of night are mostly solitary creatures , only socializing with their mates . Females have been known to have two mates , leaving the first to raise a brood with the 2d . These owls have porphyrin pigments in their feathers , and when light up with a UV Light Within , the adaxial side of the offstage shows a neon pinkish colouration . This help researchers square up an owl ’s eld .
Named because its call voice like a saw being sharpen on a whetstone , saw - whet bird of night have small heads and computed tomography - corresponding face with comparatively tumid lily-livered eye . With rust fungus - color backs , titty , and offstage , northern saw - whet owls have spot head and distinctive Y - shaped marking on their faces . These owls practice a potpourri of vocalizations to communicate . They ’re most well identified by their shrill “ too - too - too ” vociferation , which they use to attract couple . The cries of northern power saw - whet owl are so loud that they can be heard nearly 1,000 substructure forth .
One of the most coarse owl in the U.S. , the northern saw - whet prefers to populate in mountain woodland . They can be find year - round in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeastern states , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the way through to Maine . These owls can be visualize in other territories , too , during non - breeding times . It ’s not unheard of to see northerly power saw - whet owls throughout the middle west , including Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 curium )
A Hellenic birdwatcher favourite , short - eared owls Leigh Hunt during the daytime and can be find throughout the United States . These owls are some of the few that favour to construct their own nest . female person construct their pipe bowl - influence nests in the ground , line them with feathering , weed , and other lenient material before laying clutches of 4 to 7 eggs . shortly - eared owls have very distinctive flight radiation pattern , with maverick wingbeats similar to that of bat or moths . These hiss are typically 17 inches in length and have wingspans of up to 43 inch . They apply their powerful wing to stay upright as they swoop feet - first to capture their prey , which consists of small mammal , rodents , reptiles , and amphibians . shortly - eared bird of Minerva sometimes dine on songbirds and will tear the wings off before swallowing them whole .
The ear tufts of the short - eared owl are situated towards the center of their top dog , and they ’re so short that sometimes they may not be visible at all . unawares - eared owls have tawny plumage on their backs and wings with tan bellies that are intersperse with erect dark brown streaks . Tailfeathers are debar . These owls have small , round face with pallid tan to creamy white facial magnetic disk accent by pitch-dark - brim chicken eyes . Short - eared owls use sharp “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” call to communicate and “ eeee - yerp ” cries during the mating season .
first-class long - distance fliers , abruptly - eared owls have been reported set ashore on watercraft hundreds of miles from shore . These hiss will fly over the ocean and land to reach their bringing up ground in northern Canada . you could discover short - eared owls living year - troll in the north and northwest constituent of the United States . But , because they travel on a regular basis , you’re able to spot strayer in nearly every United States Department of State in the nation . These shuttlecock favor to dwell in heart-to-heart area , including grasslands , marshes , and farmland .
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
Size:9 - 10 in . ( 22.9 - 25.5 cm )
Small and elusive , circumboreal hooter show the most intimate dimorphism of any other owl , with females grow twice as large as the males of the metal money . circumboreal owls are unmanageable to track down because they roost in dissimilar trees every day . They ’re also quiet , although males will set out hooting at dark in the later winter and spring in decree to pull a mate . Boreal bird of night are very small , about the sizing of a American robin or dismal jay . Like most other owls , their skull are asymmetrical , with one ear opening roost higher than the other . This singular design enable circumboreal owls to accurately label both height and distance when closing in on their prey .
With their rotund case and red - brown feathering , circumboreal owls resemble barred owls , although they ’re much smaller . These owls have great burnished yellow heart , giving them a surprised saying . As their name suggests , circumboreal owls choose to reside in boreal forests full of spruce , pine , and fir Tree . Boreal bird of Minerva are most active at Nox when they track down small mammalian and dirt ball .
you may find boreal owls in Washington , Idaho , and Montana , though their range goes as far south as the northernmost part of New Mexico . circumboreal bird of night be intimate to rest in conifer and evergreen tree diagram . disforestation has led to a fall in habitat for these shy owls . But , while they can be sturdy to feel , they have been cognise to use nesting boxes , so installing a few on your property can greatly increase your hazard of spotting one .
Long-Eared Owl
genus Asio otus
Size:14 - 16 in . ( 35 - 40 cm )
At 15 inches in duration and with an impressive wingspread of 39 inches , the long - eared bird of night has been known to slip nests away from jays and crows to raise their own young . This somewhat elusive owl can be tough to observe , preferring to seek protection in dense woodlands . And , unluckily , its population has declined 91 % since 1970 . Unlike most bird of Minerva , long - eared owls are not very territorial and prefer to rely on their camouflage to hide from potential predators . When confront , most long - eared owls simply fly away . Because these birds can be flighty , they can be toughened for birdwatchers to go after down . But if you are lucky enough to pick out a long - eared owl , keep your eye peel for more — long - eared owls roost in groups of 6 to 50 .
At first glance , the long - eared owl greatly resembles the great horned owl . But a closer inspection reveals that long - eared owl possess a distinctive cinque - mold feather normal on their faces . The tufts of feathering that make up their face disks palisade bright orangish eyes , afford them a surprised expression . The 2nd set of feather tufts sitting on top of their heads gives them their iconic long - eared appearance These are lanky raspberry that have tan faces with motley plume in shades of brown , tan , gray-headed , and white .
Long - eared owls last year - round in Wyoming , Nevada , Colorado , Arizona , New York , Michigan , and Wisconsin . During the breeding season , these birds jeopardize farther north to Montana , North Dakota , and Minnesota . These shuttle can be spotted in all but the southernmost portion of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas . Long - eared owls prefer to live in open spaces that have dense clusters of scattered trees , providing them with a safe place to seek tax shelter as they hunt for small-scale mammals .
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Family : Tytonidae
Size:12.5 - 16 in . ( 32 - 40 cm )
easy recognized by their wan heart - regulate faces , barn owls are some of the most far-flung owls in the world . These owls thrive in desert and grasslands , but can even be found in polar regions . Barn hooter are specially common on farm , where they like to run for field mouse among the crops in the forenoon and evening , and where they can take protection in barn during the daytime . With their serrate wing , these dire predatory animal fly noiselessly as they go in for the kill . Barn owls are monogamous , mating for life . They do not build nests but favor to dwell their eggs in the hollows of trees . The amount of intellectual nourishment these birds receive has a direct impact on how many egg they rest — the more voles , rat , and shrewmouse they consume , the more owlets in their brood .
Barn bird of Minerva are quite lanky compared to other hooter . They have large hazelnut tree to brown eyes set in concave , heart - shaped faces that are palisade by a delicate schema of pallid dark-brown plumage . Barn owl are milk whitened in color with tan and rust chocolate-brown feather on their backs and wings . These owls do not hoot but instead prefer to communicate via shrieking .
you may find the barn bird of Minerva in all but the uppermost area of the U.S. Even though these boo are rough-cut throughout the state , their universe is dwindling slightly due to habitation red ink . Barn owl reside twelvemonth - round as far to the south as Texas and Arizona , as far east as Pennsylvania , and all across the Pacific Northwest .
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops genus Asio
Size:6 - 10 in . ( 16 - 25 cm )
Featuring 5 subspecies , easterly screech - owls are small shuttle maxing out at just under 10 - inches in length . These bird of Minerva are monogamous and less nervous than other owl , frequently living in nest box and even using birdbaths to wash up . Eastern shrieking - owls are typically gentle to distinguish because they prey on songbirds during the daytime . This little raptorial bird ’s size proves deceptive . These are highly territorial birds , even from a young long time . Young eastern screech - owls will fight amongst themselves for food , and may even kill the smallest and debile of their sib — an act live as siblicide that is vulgar in birds of prey .
easterly screech - owls are shortsighted , stocky birds with little heads and square tails . These owls come in gray morphs and red-faced ( or rufous ) morphs , with some hooter exhibiting brown plumage . The color of each eastern screech - owl depends on the eccentric of forest it resides in , as its coloring helps to camouflage it from potential predators . These are very outspoken owls that employ trilling calls to attract match and pass with their families . Their distinctive neigh - alike screeches are hard to overleap !
Eastern screech - owls prefer to live in forests but are often well-chosen to live in urban areas , too . you may find the eastern screech - owl from Vermont to Montana , in a blanket reach sweeping all the way down to Texas and back across the states to Florida . These chick can be feel in wooded , rural , and suburban options .
Snowy Owl
genus Bubo scandiacus
Size:20.5 - 27.9 in . ( 52 - 71 curium )
Snowy owls are the sullen bird of night , with grownup averaging between 3 and 5 pounds . Their thick plumage get them weightier , but it also let them to withstand the cold temperatures of the Arctic tundra . These are powerful birds at or so 28 inches farseeing with a wingspan of 57 inch . They ’re strong-growing , too , using their sharp talons and strong feet to defend their territories from predators and competitor . These bird of Minerva hunt almost alone during the daytime and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in a yr . Their voracious appetites can have a devastating impact on their food provision , but these skilled handbill are uncoerced and able-bodied to pilot south in search of prey . snow-white owl populations have declined 64 % since 1970 due to illegal search and vehicle collisions , as well as climate change .
Juveniles of the species have dark-brown and black markings over a pedestal of snowy plumage . As these birdie mature , they lose most of their markings . At maturity , males will be almost pure white , with females retaining some of their patternings . These owls have hoarse voices and use a variety of calls , the most frequent of which is a rhythmical “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy owls do n’t experience in the United States all year long , however , they do winter in the northerly states . you could see snow-covered hooter from Washington all the way across to Maine . In twelvemonth when their preferred fair game was especially modified , snowy owl were sighted as far to the south as Florida , so it ’s potential to spot one of these beauties no matter where you are in the U.S.
How to Attract Connecticut Owls to Your Backyard
While some owls , like the boreal bird of Minerva and the whiskered screeching - hooter , annul humans and can be tough to happen , other bird of Minerva , like the bar owl and eastern and westerly screeching - owls , are much well-situated to attract .
Installnesting boxeson trees , pole , and fences to advance your vicinity owls to take up residence on your property . Leaving brush , woodwind piles , and honest-to-god lawn clipping render homes for voles , field mice , rabbits , gophers , andsnakes . have plenty of these critter nearby is a surefire elbow room to get your local hooter ’ attention .
Because many owls care to give onsongbirdsandsquirrels , setting up a bird bird feeder andgetting a bird bathcan also encourage owls to pay you a sojourn . Of course , some razzing work to dash hooter off . Jays , crows , blackbirds , grackles , and starlings on a regular basis mob owls , so take cadence to scare these Bronx cheer away — take down starling nesting box , and remove cracked corn and peanuts from your feeders , which are the favorite foods of these bird .
Owls be intimate to pose on poles and in leafless trees because they make it easy for them to spot prey . ensure your bird of Minerva have plenty of spots to perch on . you’re able to also attract these birds by limiting your outdoor activeness , especially in the former morning and late eventide hour when they care to hunt . Together , all of these measures will help your neighborhood bird of night find right at home in your backyard .
All State Owls
Want to see what owl specie are ascertain in other state ? Here ’s our complete listing of owl found in each state :
