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

8 Owls In Tennessee

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)

Barn Owls occur with decent regularity in Tennessee. Although these owls of Tennessee are not commonly detected, part of the reason for this is due to their nocturnal lifestyles. If you hear a piercing screech in the night, you likely heard a Tennessee Barn Owl.

Barn Owls are aptly named, as these TN owls are most often observed in a barn or a similar structure. It is within such structures that they devour rodents and nest–provided that a suitable place to nest is available.

When they’re not in barns, these raptors may be hunting at night over an open field. They may roost in tree cavities or rocky crevices, but they will always roost near suitable hunting habitats.

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 are far and away the most common owl in Tennessee. These large, gray owls thrive in the forested slopes of the Appalachians, and they’ve adapted well to life near areas dominated by humans.

Of course, Barred Owls flourish in the Appalachian Mountains and foothills, as this densely forested area is a paradise for these creatures. However, Barred Owls are not limited to such habitat. In fact, these owls of Tennessee are readily found throughout the state.

These owls in TN may be found in forests of many sizes in Tennessee. They have great success in mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, but they manage to do quite well in forests that are largely deciduous in their composition as well. Listen for their memorable hoots at night.

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)

Finding one of these small Tennessee owls is always a joy, but it is a task easier said than done. Although Eastern Screech-Owls are present year-round in the state, they maintain a low profile and do very little during the day.

Fortunately, Eastern Screech-Owls may nest in birdhouses that are installed in backyards, so this can provide birders with incredible views of these tiny predators. However, for those who don’t have the luxury of a backyard screech owl, it can be difficult to find these tiny types of owls in Tennessee. 

Keep a watchful eye out for this Tennessee owl in city parks where they may roost at the edge of a tree cavity to sun themselves. Moreover, night owls may be able to hear these birds as they utter their trill and whinny calls.

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 an imposing presence throughout their Tennessee habitats. These owls of Tennessee often look menacing with their ear tufts and stern expressions, but they are quite alert and quick to flush when a birder gets too close.

Great Horned Owls are present year-round in Tennessee, and they are often the earliest breeders in the state. In fact, some females lay eggs by January. Nests are situated in trees or rocky cliffs. Pairs often choose a large tree with a broken top, or these owls in TN may take up residence in an abandoned eagle or hawk nest.

Great Horned Owls are not often found in thick forests. Instead, look for them in small to medium-sized patches of trees that are adjacent to open areas in which they can hunt. Like Barn Owls, they may roost in barns or similar structures.

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)

Although most Tennessee residents have no idea that Long-eared Owls inhabit their state, these elusive owls nonetheless appear in small numbers during the winter. Just over 100 records of this raptor have been submitted to eBird from Tennessee.

Long-eared Owls breed in the far northern United States and Canada. In winter, they travel south and select obscure roost locations that are difficult to locate and access. While Tennessee tends to be on the southern fringe of their wintering range, these owls in Tennessee are seemingly annual winter residents.

There are surely more Long-eared Owls that winter in the state than what current knowledge suggests. Between October through March, look for these Tennessee owls in thickets of juniper trees, conifers, or dense brush. The presence of owl pellets or whitewash may give a roost away.

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)

Northern Saw-whet Owls are the smallest types of owls in Tennessee. It has long been assumed that Northern Saw-whet Owls are rare winter residents, however, new sightings and research are changing people’s perceptions about this Tennessee owl.

It is now believed that saw-whet owls breed in Tennessee–albeit, in rather small numbers. It is thought that these tiny owls of Tennessee breed in the far eastern part of the state in remote tracts of Appalachian Mountain forest. Here, these owls in East Tennessee make nests in tree cavities.

Northern Saw-whet Owls also winter in the state in modest numbers. Bird banding stations routinely capture them in the fall, but few around found at their winter roosts. Those who attempt to find a wintering Northern Saw-whet Owl should check conifers and junipers near water.

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 the most common wintering owls in Tennessee, with more than 1,000 observations submitted to eBird. They make their way to the state in October and depart by April in most cases.

These birds of prey favor open habitats. Grasslands, agricultural fields, and airports are all good places to look for them.

Open areas adjacent to rivers seem to attract the best concentrations of these TN owls. 

Short-eared Owls are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Therefore, birders hoping to get a glimpse of these creatures should attempt to observe them around either of these time frames.

Snowy Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo scandiacus

Length: 53 – 66 cm

Weight: 25 – 88 ounces

Wingspan: 125 – 166 cm

Snowy Owls are the most uncommon Tennessee owls on this list based on the numbers that likely wander into the state. Although Long-eared Owls have been detected fewer times, they are likely more common in the state. However, they are substantially more difficult to find compared to Snowy Owls, which often perch in obvious locations.

There have been 139 records of Snowy Owls in Tennessee on eBird. The state is not within the typical winter range of these owls. However, they may wander further south than their typical range during

certain years as they search for food. These years are known as “irruption” years. It is important to note that Snowy Owls present in Tennessee are not adapted to thrive in the state’s mild weather. Therefore, give any Snowy Owls in Tennessee plenty of space to avoid causing them stress.

Most of the sightings of Tennessee Snowy Owls are at wetlands, agricultural fields, or airports. Checking these locations in the winter could produce a miraculous Snowy Owl sighting.