8 Owls In Ohio – The Complete List (With Photos)

8 Owls In Ohio

Barn Owl (American Subspecies)

Scientific Name: Tyto alba

Length: ~12.5 – 16 inches ( 32 – 40 cm)

Weight: 14 – 24.7 ounces

Wingspan: ~39.5 – 49 inches (100 – 125 cm)

One of the only bragging rights that Ohio can claim against its neighbor to the north is that there are far more Barn Owls in Ohio compared to Michigan. Indeed, more than 1,000 Barn Owls in Ohio have been reported to eBird.

Rural areas in central Ohio yield the highest densities of American Barn Owls in the state, while they tend to be rare Northeast Ohio owls. Some assume that Barn Owls must hibernate to escape the cold owl winters, but this is not the case. Instead, some Barn Owls in central Ohio remain for the whole year, while others fly south for the winter and return in the spring.

Barn Owls readily use barns or old sheds, so if you have either of these structures on your property, consider erecting a Barn Owl nest box. A pair of these birds may take up residence and produce young. As a bonus, they will be effective in minimizing rodent populations on your property.

Barred Owl

Scientific Name: Strix varia

Length: 19 inches (53 cm)

Weight: 16.5 to 37 ounces

Wingspan: 39 – 43 inches (99 – 110 cm)

Barred Owls in Ohio are the most common owls within the Buckeye State. These sizable birds of prey are often confused with Barn Owls. Although both species have dark eyes and are native to Ohio, Barred Owls are far more abundant and located in different habitats compared to Barn Owls.

Look for Barred Owls in wooded areas such as deciduous forests, riparian corridors, and swamps. These owls of Ohio are quite adaptable, so they can also be found in forested neighborhoods or suburbs.

Barred Owls seek out large cavities in trees where they lay eggs during the breeding season. During the nonbreeding season, they may roost in large conifers where they can seek shelter from crows and other songbirds. Therefore, your yard may be harboring a Barred Owl if you have large pine trees or spruce trees.

Eastern Screech-Owl

Scientific Name: Otus asio

Length: 8.5 inches (22 cm)

Weight: 4.3 – 8.6 ounces

Wingspan: 19 – 24 inches (48 – 61 cm)

Eastern Screech-Owls are common owls in Ohio for the whole year, but most Buckeyes would not know this due to the nocturnal nature of these small owls in Ohio. They keep such a low profile that some may even have a pair of screech-owls nesting in their backyards without knowing.

Eastern Screech-Owls rarely move during the day unless their life depends on it. More often, sharp-eyed birders may find an Eastern Screech-Owl perched on the cusp of a tree cavity with its eyes closed as it suns itself during the day.

Look for these small owls of Ohio in woodlots, forested backyards, and parks. They will readily nest in birdhouses, so putting up a structure with a big enough entrance hole could yield a pair of these raptors.

Great Horned Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus

Length: 22 inches (56 cm)

Weight: 33 – 88 ounces

Wingspan: 40 – 57 inches (101 – 145 cm)

Great Horned Owls are familiar owls native to Ohio. They are well-known for their classic owl hoots which they utter during the mating season, and they are the largest types of owls in Ohio.

A Great Horned Owl can be found in an assortment of different locations. Reliable places to find them include woodland edges, marshy areas with tree cover nearby, and farmsteads. However, they may surprise birders and show up in city parks or backyards.

Like Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls may seek shelter in structures such as barns. While this would be a fun sight to see, a Great Horned Owl’s presence is not a good sign for Barn Owls, as they are known to prey on their distant relatives.

Long-eared Owl

Scientific Name: Asio otus

Length: ~13.75 – 15.75 inches (35 – 40 cm)

Weight: 7.75 – 15.25 ounces

Wingspan: 35.5 – 39.5 inches (90 – 100 cm)

Long-eared Owls are orange-eyed owls with ear tufts who visit the Buckeye State during winter. During this time, these Ohio owls may be found all over the state, although southern Ohio has the fewest reports. However, this may simply be a result of less birding activity in this part of Ohio.

Long-eared Owls will be found in dense habitats that are difficult to access in the winter. Here, they usually remain safe from potential threats and enjoy the ability to sleep in peace throughout the day. However, these owls of Ohio may occasionally be spotted by a Blue Jay and harassed until they flush to another roost. 

Groves of cedars, conifers, willows, and other thick vegetation is the best habitat to check for Long-eared Owls. Birders in Northeast Ohio know that this part of the state tends to yield the best numbers of these owls in Ohio. Indeed, those lucky enough to observe one of these Northeast Ohio owls at its roost should strive to give these Ohio owls space. This ensures that they don’t fly away and abandon their roost.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Scientific Name: Aegolius acadicus

Length: 7 – 8 inches (18 – 21 cm)

Weight: 2.5 – 5.5 ounces

Wingspan: 16.5 – 19 inches (42 – 48 cm)

When considering what owls are in Ohio, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is often overlooked because they are Ohio’s smallest and—arguably–most adorable owl. This Ohio owl is presently considered to be a winter resident, although there are a few records of Northern Saw-whet Owl breeding in the state.

In winter, substantial numbers of Northern Saw-whet Owls spend the coldest months of the year in Ohio. However, few are detected due to their small size, nocturnal habits, and well-hidden roosts.

Saw-whet owls may roost at an optimal roost for weeks at a time during the daylight hours. You’ll be able to get an idea of how long an owl has been present at its roost by examining the whitewash and pellets below the roost.

Short-eared Owl

Scientific Name: Asio flammeus

Length: 15 inches (38 cm)

Weight: 7.3 – 17 ounces

Wingspan: 33.5 – 40.5 inches (85 – 103 cm)

Short-eared Owls are mesmerizing with their buoyant flight and circular faces. They are winter specialties in Ohio, but there are a few records that suggest that these owls of Ohio have bred in the state.

Short-eared Owls are not found in forests like most of the other types of owls in Ohio. Instead, look for these owls native to Ohio in grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands. They may even congregate at airports in the middle of cities such as Cleveland. 

Short-eared Owls tend to be solitary hunters, but they may congregate in impressive numbers at favorable wintering locations. For instance, the premier winter hunting grounds may have a dozen or more of these birds of prey.

Short-eared Owls are rather cyclical in their Ohio abundance – some years are great, while others are mediocre.

Snowy Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo scandiacus

Length: 53 – 66 cm

Weight: 25 – 88 ounces

Wingspan: 125 – 166 cm

Snowy Owls are no doubt memorable with their massive size and pure white plumage. Although they are not breeders in Ohio, they can typically be found during the winter in the state.

Some winters certainly bring more Snowy Owls than others. Years in which Snowy Owls struggle to find food up north may send decent numbers south. It is during these times when Ohio may see hundreds within the state.

Snowy Owls seek open, flat areas when they visit Ohio, as such places remind them of their arctic tundra homes. Therefore, agricultural fields, airports, and wetlands are all good places to search for these incredible owls.