Did you know that there are eighteen different types of owls in Florida? Some people may be surprised to learn that owl species live in all 67 of Florida’s counties. In this blog post, we will discuss the various types of owls that can be found in the Sunshine State. We will also provide some information on each owl species, such as their preferred habitat and diet. So if you’re interested in learning more about these fascinating creatures, read on!
The data was collected only from reliable sources and double-checked with an Ornithologist.
Most Common Owls in Florida
Barred Owl
Barred Owl Scientific Name: Strix varia
The barred owl is a large bird, with a body length of 16 to 24 inches. The wingspan can range from 37 to 42 inches. The owl has a round head, with no ear tufts. The eyes are dark brown and the beak is black.
The upperparts of the owl are brown, with white bars on the wings and back. The underparts are white, with brown bars on the breast and belly. The legs and feet are covered in feathers.
The barred owl is found in wooded areas of North America. The owl prefers to live in forests, but can also be found in swamps and urban areas. The owl nests in trees, using sticks and leaves to build the nest. The female lays two to four eggs, which hatch after about 28 days. The young owls leave the nest after about six weeks.
The barred owl is a nocturnal bird, meaning it is active at night. The owl hunts for small mammals and birds, using its sharp talons to kill its prey. The owl also eats insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
The barred owl is a relatively common bird, with a population of about one million birds. The owl is not considered to be at risk of extinction. However, the bird faces some threats, including habitat loss and pollution.
Barn Owl
Barn Owl Scientific Name: Tyto furcata
The barn owl is a medium-sized owl with a large, round head and no ear tufts. It has a brownish-gray upper body with white underparts, and its wings are long and broad.
The barn owl’s flight is silent and graceful, and it can hunt effectively in low light conditions. This owl typically preys on small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews. In Florida, the barn owl is found in woodlands, farmlands, and urban areas.
The barn owl is a nocturnal predator, meaning it is most active at night. During the day, this owl roosts in trees or on buildings. When hunting, the barn owl uses its sharp vision and hearing to locate prey. This owl swoops down on its prey, killing it with its sharp talons. The barn owl typically eats one or two small mammals per night.
The barn owl is a protected species in Florida, and it is illegal to kill this bird. If you see a barn owl, you can report your sighting to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
If you live in an area where barn owls are found, you can help this species by providing nest boxes for them. Nest boxes should be placed in wooded areas, and they should be made of rough-sawn lumber or plywood.
Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is a beautiful bird that can be found in the northernmost parts of the world. In North America, they are most commonly found in Canada and Alaska. However, every so often they will make their way down south to states like Florida.
Snowy Owls are large birds and they are easily recognizable by their white feathers and yellow eyes. They are also one of the heaviest owls, weighing anywhere from two to four pounds. When they are hunting, they prefer to perch on top of trees or other high places so that they can see their prey.
One of the most interesting things about Snowy Owls is that they are one of the few birds that are active during the day and night. They are also known to be very good hunters, as they can take down prey that is much larger than them.
Eastern Screech Owl
Eastern Screech Owl Scientific name – Megascops asio
The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small owl with large, ear-tufts. It has a round head with yellow eyes. The upperparts are gray or brown, and the underparts are streaked with white.
This owl is found in woodlands and urban areas across eastern North America. It hunts at night for small mammals and birds. The Eastern Screech-Owl is a non-migratory bird.
The female Eastern Screech-Owl lays two to six eggs in a nest made of sticks, leaves, and grasses. She incubates the eggs for about 28 days. The chicks hatch naked and blind, and they grow quickly. They leave the nest at about six weeks old.
The Eastern Screech-Owl are relatively common owls in Florida. It is found in woodlands, urban areas, and even coastal habitats.
This owl roosts during the day in trees or on buildings. It hunts at night for small mammals and birds. The Eastern Screech-Owl is a non-migratory bird.
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl Scientific Name: Bubo virgianus
The great horned owl is a large bird of prey that can be found in many parts of North and South America. These owls get their name from the two tufts of feathers on their head, which resemble horns. Great horned owls are one of the most common owl species in Florida.
Great horned owls are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. During the day, they can often be seen roosting in trees or on other high perches.
These owls hunt by stealth, using their excellent camouflage and silent flight to surprise their prey. Great horned owls primarily eat small mammals such as mice and rabbits, but they will also eat reptiles, birds, and insects.
If you see a great horned owl in the wild, you should keep your distance and avoid disturbing it. These owls are protected by state and federal laws, and it is illegal to harm or kill them. If you have an encounter with a great horned owl that seems to be causing problems, you should contact a wildlife biologist or other experts for help.
Great horned owls are one of the most common owl species in Florida. These nocturnal birds of prey can often be seen roosting during the day on high perches like tree branches or fence posts.
Related article: Types of Owls in Kansas
Burrowing Owls
Burrowing Owl Scientific Name: Athene cunicularia
Burrowing owls are small, long-legged owls with a round head and no ear tufts. They have bright yellow eyes and a white crescent around each eye. The upperparts are mottled brown and white, while the underparts are mostly white with brown streaks.
These owls get their name from their habit of nesting and roosting in burrows, which they either dig themselves or use those abandoned by other animals such as armadillos, skunks, and prairie dogs.
Burrowing owls are found in open habitats with low vegetation, including deserts, grasslands, pastures, and agricultural fields. In Florida, they are year-round residents.
When hunting, burrowing owls perch on the ground or low posts and scan the area for prey, which they capture with a quick dash or by swooping down from a perch. Their diet consists mostly of insects and small mammals.
To attract mates, male burrowing owls perform a “booming” call in which they drop their wings and bow their heads while calling out. Females respond with a softer call. After mating, the female lays a clutch of anywhere from four to eight eggs in the burrow, which she incubates for about three weeks.
The young owls fledge (leave the nest) at about six weeks of age but remain dependent on their parents for food and shelter for several months.
Short-eared Owls
Short-eared owls are medium-sized owls. They have large heads and their eyes are located in the front of their face. Their beaks are curved and they have ear tufts. These owls hunt during the day and at night.
They eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Short-eared owls live in open habitats such as grasslands, meadows, and marshes. In Florida, they can be found in the northern and central parts of the state. Short-eared owls are migratory birds and they travel to southern parts of the United States during the winter months.
When they are hunting, short-eared owls perch on a high spot and watch for their prey. They also hunt by flying low over the ground and using their sharp vision to spot their prey. When they see an animal, they will swoop down and grab it with their talons.
These owls can also be found roosting in trees or on the ground. During the nesting season, short-eared owls will build their nests in trees or on the ground. They lay three to eight eggs per clutch and they will incubate them for about three weeks. The young owls will stay with their parents until they are able to fend for themselves.
What owls are common in Central Florida?
There are several types of owls that are common in Central Florida, including the great horned owl, the burrowing owl, and the short-eared owl.
How many different owls live in Florida?
There are at least 22 different species of owls that have been documented in Florida. This includes both resident and migrant species.
What kind of owl live in Florida?
There are several different types of owls that live in Florida. The most common type of owl is the barred owl. Other types of owls that live in Florida include the great horned owl, the eastern screech owl, and the barn owl.
What’s the most common owl in Florida?
The most common owls in Florida are barred owl.
