States in the Southeastern United States tend to have the lowest owl diversity in the country, but are there owls in Louisiana? Yes! Fortunately for those in the Bayou State, 6 types of owls in Louisiana can be observed annually.
Before discussing these owls, I would like to set the record straight about the owls native to Louisiana. For instance, some websites claim that 8 Louisiana owl species are expected in the state, saying that the Long-eared Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl are both regular. This assertion is false, as neither of these birds are expected in Louisiana. In fact, there has never been a Northern Saw-whet Owl observed in Louisiana, as the state is too far south for these northern owls. Meanwhile, a few Long-eared Owl reports have been confirmed, but these owls are certainly not regular visitors.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can begin to talk about the 6 types of owls in Louisiana that can be regularly observed. Keep reading to find out all you wish to know about these creatures!
Table of Contents
The 6 Owls In Louisiana
Barn Owl (American subspecies)
- Scientific Name: Tyto alba
- Length: 16 inches (41 cm)
- Weight: 14 – 25 ounces
- Wingspan: 39 – 49 inches (~100 – 125 cm)
Louisiana is home to a healthy population of Barn Owls. These creatures—which are often referred to as “American Barn Owls—thrive in rural areas with sizable stands of grass in which they can hunt. You will not find them in the swamps and forests that cover much of the state.
True to their name, Barn Owls love to seek refuge in barns and construct nests in these locations. Unfortunately, populations of these birds of prey have taken a hit in the past half-century as barns have been torn down and agriculture has become more industrialized.
Nowadays, finding an old barn with lots of rodents and suitable surrounding habitat can be difficult for Barn Owls. Luckily, since Barn Owls are cavity-nesting birds, those living in rural Louisiana can set up a Barn Owl nest box to try to get owls to nest on a property.
Barn Owls are year-round residents in Louisiana. They tend to stay around their territories throughout the year, but some may disperse in the nonbreeding season to try to find good food sources. Northwest and southern Louisiana are the areas that feature the best American Barn Owl habitat.
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 among the most common owls in Louisiana. These large raptors have an ominous aura to them with their dark eyes, sharp talons, and call that echos through the night.
Barred Owls love the dense forests and swamps that are so prominent in Louisiana, as they are perhaps the owl that is best adapted to navigating swamp ecosystems.
They are nocturnal, but birders may accidentally flush Barred Owls from their roosts during the daylight hours. A stroll at night will often afford birders a chance to listen to the distinctive song of these owls of Louisiana.
These Louisiana owls can be found throughout the year. They build their nests in cavities in large trees.
Burrowing Owl
- Scientific Name: Athene cunicularia
- Length: 9.5 (24 cm)
- Weight: 5.3 ounces
- Wingspan: 21.6 inches (55 cm)
Burrowing Owls are rare Louisiana owls, but sightings have been increasing in the past few years. There are no populations of Burrowing Owls that appear to be breeding in the state at this time, but these small birds of prey show up every few years.
Almost all Burrowing Owls are observed in Cameron Parish, as this is situated closest to breeding populations in Texas that are less than 100 miles away. Considering the proximity of breeding Burrowing Owls, many are optimistic about the possibility that they may one day be regarded as breeding owls in Louisiana.
These owls in south Louisiana are birds of open areas, so you won’t find them in forests. Instead, look for them along beaches, gravel roads, airports, and other areas with short vegetation.
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, year-round residents in Louisiana. They are the smallest Louisiana owls that can be found in the state, but they are not exceedingly difficult to find if one knows where to look.
Parks, woodlots, cemeteries, and forested neighborhoods are optimal habitats. Eastern Screech-Owls can survive in dense forests and swamps, but they tend to be most prosperous in areas that are slightly more open. Moreover, these owls of Louisiana may be the most common owls in New Orleans.
Eastern Screech-Owls rarely do much other than rest during the day, as they want to stay hidden from threats such as hawks and feral cats. Therefore, they are much more often heard rather than seen. They’re cavity-nesters, so adding a screech owl birdhouse to your property may allow you to host a pair of these owls of Louisiana.
Great Horned Owl
- Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
- Length: 22 inches (56 cm)
- Weight: 33 – 88 ounces
- Wingspan: 40 – 57 inches (101 – 145 cm)
The versatility and ferocity of Great Horned Owls have allowed them to become the most widespread owls in Louisiana. They’re able to thrive in forests, agricultural landscapes, cities, and coastal marshes. Anywhere that has a few trees in which these birds can nest and seek shelter could host them.
Great Horned Owls are the largest owl in Louisiana. They are residents of the state, and you may recognize the classic owl hoot that they utter on their territories.
These predators can take down a wide assortment of prey including cats, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, squirrels, and even other Louisiana owl species. Therefore, having a Great Horned Owl nearby means that other owls that may be around will keep a low profile.
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 a winter specialty in Louisiana. From November through February, these owls of Louisiana may be found in open areas where they are especially active at dawn and dusk.
Grassy fields, rice paddies, and marshes are all good places to check for Short-eared Owls. An early morning or late evening at such locations can afford a birder a look at the bouncing flight of a Short-eared Owl as it hunts for prey.
These uncommon owls in Louisiana hunker down in thick stands of vegetation during the day where they rest until they commence hunting around the time of sunset. The best places to find Short-eared Owls are the northwest and southern portions of Louisiana. That’s right, there are surprisingly plenty of records of these owls in south Louisiana. Be sure to look for these Louisiana owls before they migrate north for the breeding season!