For beginners starting owl birdwatching, the top pick is the Eastern Screech Owl. Its relatively small size, distinctive calls, and wide distribution across eastern North America make it easier to spot and identify for novices. Plus, its adaptability to suburban areas means it’s accessible without venturing deep into wilderness.
What to Look For
When selecting owls to focus on as a beginner birdwatcher, consider these key criteria:
- Visibility and Range: Owls that inhabit areas near human settlements or popular parks increase your chance of sightings.
- Distinctive Calls: Owls with unique, recognizable vocalizations help beginners identify species by sound, especially since owls are often nocturnal or crepuscular.
- Size and Behavior: Larger owls can be easier to spot, but smaller owls with active daytime behavior may also be beginner-friendly.
- Conservation Status and Legal Restrictions: Some owls are protected and rare, making sightings unlikely or regulated; beginner watchers should focus on common, stable populations.
- Photographic and Observation Opportunities: Some owls tolerate human presence better or roost in visible locations, enhancing observation chances.
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
Strengths: The Eastern Screech Owl is small, widespread in eastern North America, and often found in suburban parks and wooded residential areas. Its trilling and whinnying calls are distinctive and relatively easy to learn. It roosts in tree cavities and nest boxes, making daytime spotting feasible.
Trade-offs: Its small size and camouflage plumage can make it hard to spot visually. Also, it is mostly nocturnal, so listening skills are important.
Best for: Beginners with access to suburban or rural eastern US and Canada, who want a balance of sound identification and visual spotting opportunities.
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Strengths: This large, iconic owl is found across much of North and South America, inhabiting diverse habitats. Its distinctive hooting call is easy to recognize, and its imposing size makes it easier to spot than smaller species. It often perches in visible locations at dusk or dawn.
Trade-offs: It tends to be wary of humans and prefers dense cover during the day, so close observation can be challenging. It is primarily nocturnal, so daytime sightings are less common.
Best for: Beginners interested in seeing a classic owl species that is widespread and recognizable, especially in rural or forested areas.
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
Strengths: Unlike most owls, Burrowing Owls are often active during the day and live in open grasslands and deserts of western North and South America. Their ground-nesting habits and daytime activity make them very accessible to beginners. They have distinctive long legs and bright yellow eyes.
Trade-offs: They require travel to specific habitats, such as prairies or deserts. Their populations are vulnerable in some regions, so sightings may be seasonal or limited.
Best for: Beginners in western regions or those willing to visit grassland habitats, who want a diurnal owl species with unique behaviors.
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Strengths: The Barred Owl is common in eastern North American forests and is known for its loud, distinctive call often described as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” It is relatively large and can be easier to spot in mature woodlands.
Trade-offs: It is mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, so hearing calls is often more feasible than daytime spotting. It prefers dense forest, which can limit visibility.
Best for: Beginners with access to mature forests in the eastern US and Canada who want a vocal owl species that is common and reliable.
Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Strengths: Native to Europe, the Little Owl is small but often active during daylight hours, making it easier to observe. It has a distinctive appearance with a flat head and white eyebrows, and it is common in farmland and open country.
Trade-offs: This species is not native to the Americas, so it is only relevant for beginners in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It can be shy and wary of humans.
Best for: Beginners in Europe or adjacent regions who want a diurnal owl with distinctive features and behaviors.
How to Choose
Choosing the best owl species to focus on as a beginner depends largely on your location, budget, and birdwatching goals.
Location: Start by identifying which owls are common and accessible in your region. For example, if you live in eastern North America, Eastern Screech and Barred Owls are excellent starting points. In the western US, Burrowing Owls may be more accessible.
Budget: Owl watching can be as simple as using your ears and eyes in local parks, requiring minimal investment. However, binoculars or a spotting scope improve your chances. Expect to spend $100–$300 on quality binoculars that will serve you well beyond owl watching.
Use Case: Are you interested in photography, sound identification, or casual observation? For photography, larger owls like the Great Horned Owl or Barred Owl are better subjects. If you want to identify owls by call, species with distinctive vocalizations like the Eastern Screech Owl or Barred Owl are ideal.
Common Trade-offs: Many owls are nocturnal, so beginners must be comfortable birdwatching at dawn, dusk, or night. Some owls are elusive or camouflaged, requiring patience and practice. Diurnal species like Burrowing Owls offer easier observation but are less common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What time of day is best to watch owls?
Owls are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal, so dawn, dusk, and nighttime are best for hearing and seeing them. Some species, like Burrowing Owls, are active during the day.
Q: Do I need special equipment to watch owls?
Binoculars are highly recommended for better viewing. A flashlight with a red filter helps for night observation without disturbing the owls.
Q: How can I attract owls to my yard?
Providing nest boxes, preserving mature trees, and reducing outdoor lighting can encourage owls like Eastern Screech Owls to roost nearby.
Q: Are owls dangerous to humans?
Owls are generally not dangerous and avoid humans. They may defend nests if threatened but will not attack unprovoked.
Q: Can I legally approach or handle owls?
In many countries, owls are protected species. Approaching them is legal only with care and permits; handling requires special licenses.
Q: How do I learn owl calls?
Use birding apps, online audio guides, or local birdwatching groups to learn and practice owl vocalizations.
Bottom Line
For beginners, the Eastern Screech Owl is the best starting point due to its accessibility, distinctive calls, and adaptability to suburban environments. Pairing sound identification with occasional daytime spotting makes it an ideal species to build your owl-watching skills. Depending on your region and interests, other species like the Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl, or Barred Owl also offer excellent opportunities. Invest in a good pair of binoculars, learn key calls, and be patient—owl birdwatching is rewarding with experience and persistence.
Remember, the best owl for you is the one you can observe consistently and enjoy learning about, so start local and expand your owl horizons over time.
Related
- Best Bait for Catching Large Tarpon in Florida: Top Picks & Tips
- Best Membership Options at Dallas Athletic Club Explained
- Best Lapidary Flat Grinders Under 10 Inches: Top Picks & Buying Guide