We’ll go through the most frequent owls in Mississippi, with pictures and important information. Only reputable sources were used for this data, which was verified by an Ornithologist.
There are many different types of owls that can be found in Mississippi. Some of these owl species include the barred owl, the great horned owl, the eastern screech-owl, and the northern saw-whet owl. Each of these owls has its own unique characteristics and habits. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common owl species in Mississippi and what makes them unique!
Most Common Owls in Mississippi
Barred Owl
Barred Owl in Latin: Strix varia
The Barred Owl is one of the most common owl species in North America. They are easily recognizable by their barring, or stripes, on their wings and chest. These owls can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, swamps, and marshes.
Barred Owls are nocturnal predators that feed primarily on small mammals, such as rodents, rabbits, and bats. They also eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Barred Owls typically hunt from a perch in a tree or other elevated spot, but they can also fly low to the ground to catch prey.
Barred Owls are relatively large owls, with a wingspan of up to four feet. They are brown or gray in color, with white bars on their wings and chest. These owls have large, round heads with dark eyes. Their call is a distinctive “who-cooks-for-you” sound.
Eastern Screech-Owl
The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small owl that is found in eastern North America. They are usually gray or brown in color, with some lighter markings on their chest. They have a characteristic screeching call, which gives them their name.
Eastern Screech-Owls are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night. They hunt small animals like mice, rats, and other rodents. They also eat insects and other invertebrates.
Eastern Screech-Owls are relatively common in eastern North America and can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, woodlands, marshes, and even urban areas. They are one of the few owl species that can adapt to living in close proximity to humans.
If you live in eastern North America, there is a good chance you have an Eastern Screech-Owl living nearby! So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for their characteristic call at night.
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small owl. It has a round head with no ear tufts. Its eyes are yellow and it has a dark beak. The Northern Saw-whet Owl’s back is brown with white spots. Its belly is white with brown streaks. This owl can be found in woodlands in North America. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a nocturnal owl and it feeds on small mammals, such as mice and rats. This owl can be found in Mississippi during the winter months.
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is the largest owl in North America. They have a wingspan of up to five feet and can weigh up to four pounds. They are very impressive birds!
Great Horned Owls are nocturnal, meaning they hunt at night. They eat a variety of prey, including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, snakes and birds.
Great Horned Owls are very interesting birds. They have excellent hearing, and can even hear prey that is underground! They also have very good eyesight and can see in low-light conditions.
If you are ever lucky enough to see a Great Horned Owl, you will certainly be impressed!
American Barn Owl
The American Barn Owl is a common sight in the Mississippi countryside. These owls are characterized by their distinctive heart-shaped face and white plumage. They are usually nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen during the day. American
Barn Owls feed on small rodents, and they can often be heard hooting in the night. Although they are not endangered, they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These beautiful owls are an important part of the ecosystem in Mississippi.
Short-eared Owl
The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl. The length of the Short-eared Owl is about 16 inches and the wingspan is about 42 inches. The weight of the Short-eared Owl is about 12 ounces. The female Short-eared Owl is usually larger than the male.
The head of the Short-eared Owl is round with no ear tufts. The facial disk is pale with a black rim. The eyes of the Short-eared Owl are yellow. The beak of the Short-eared Owl is black.
The upper parts of the Short-eared Owl are brown and streaked with white and black. The underparts of the Short-eared Owl are white with brown streaks. The legs and feet of the Short-eared Owl are gray.
The Short-eared Owl is found in open areas such as fields, marshes, and meadows. The Short-eared Owl hunts at night. The Short-eared Owl eats small mammals such as mice, voles, and lemmings. The Short-eared Owl also eats birds.
The Short-eared Owl is a migratory bird. The Short-eared Owl breeds in the Arctic and winters in the United States, Central America, and South America.
The call of the Short-eared Owl is a series of hoots.
The Short-eared Owl is a common bird. The Short-eared Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Related article: Types of Owls in Idaho
Barn Owls
The barn owl is a medium-sized owl with a large, rounded head and no ear tufts. It has a long, pointed facial disk with a white rim and dark border. The disk is surrounded by light buff feathers. The underparts are pale with some brown mottling on the breast. There is heavy dark streaking on the upper parts. The legs and feet are pale yellows. The eyes are dark brown.
The barn owl is the most common owl in North America. It is found in open country, farmland, and woodland edges.
The barn owl feeds mainly on rodents but also eats other small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
The barn owl is a quiet owl. It usually makes a soft hooting noise, but can also make a screeching sound.
The barn owl is mainly active at night.
The barn owl nests in tree cavities, old buildings, or on the ground in a scrape lined with grass and feathers.
The barn owl is one of the earliest nesting owls, laying eggs in February or March.
The barn owl is a long-lived bird, living up to 16 years in the wild.
Barn Owls are found throughout Mississippi. They inhabit open country, farmland, and woodland edges. Barn owls feed mainly on rodents but also eat other small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
What kind of owls live in north Mississippi?
There are three different types of owls that live in north Mississippi: the great horned owl, the barred owl, and the eastern screech owl. These owls can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and marshes. They eat a variety of prey items, including rodents, birds, and insects.
An avid ornithologist, zoologist and biologist with an unwavering passion for birds and wild animals.
Dr. Wilson’s journey in ornithology began in childhood and led him to obtain a Ph.D. in Ornithology from the prestigious Avian Research Institute. He has worked closely with renowned experts in the field and conducted extensive research and field studies globally.
