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Nothing is more exciting than tell apart an owl in your backyard if you go in New Hampshire . These glorious birds of prey are a beautiful mint to lay eyes on . If you ’re an devouring birdwatcher , you ’re probably eager to identify which types of owls are chitchat your property .
There are 10 owl species recover in New Hampshire , include the Eastern Screech - Owl , Northern Saw - Whet Owl , Boreal Owl , Short - Eared Owl , Great Gray Owl , Snowy Owl , Northern Hawk Owl , Long - Eared Owl , Great Horned Owl , and Barred Owl . While several of these owl species have their favourite pairing and migratory ranges , it ’s possible to distinguish a vagrant or irrupting owl in areas outside their experience territorial dominion . If you see an owl in New Hampshire that is not on this tilt , consider yourself lucky !
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
The fable below can be used to help you square up where each of the 10 bird of night of New Hampshire dwell during unlike parts of the twelvemonth .
The 10 Species of Owls in New Hampshire
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
Order : Strigiformes
sept : Strigidae
Legend for the following owl rangemaps
Size:6 - 10 in . ( 16 - 25 centimetre )
Featuring 5 subspecies , eastern screech - owls are small bird maxing out at just under 10 - inch in distance . These owls are monogamous and less skittish than other owls , frequently living in nesting boxes and even using birdbaths to lap up . Eastern screech - bird of night are typically easy to spot because they prey on songbird during the daylight . This slight raptor ’s sizing proves shoddy . These are extremely territorial birds , even from a young age . Young eastern screech - owls will oppose amongst themselves for food , and may even belt down the small and weakest of their sibling — an act known as siblicide that is common in birds of fair game .
easterly shrieking - bird of night are short , stocky bird with lowly head and straight tail . These owl take place in gray morphs and red ( or rufous ) morphs , with some owls exhibiting chocolate-brown plumage . The color of each eastern screech - hooter depend on the type of forest it domiciliate in , as its coloring helps to camouflage it from potential predatory animal . These are very vocal bird of Minerva that use quaver calls to pull in mates and transmit with their families . Their distinctive whinny - like screeches are hard to miss !
easterly screech - owls favour to live on in wood but are often happy to live in urban areas , too . you’re able to determine the eastern shriek - owl from Vermont to Montana , in a broad orbit span all the way down to Texas and back across the states to Florida . These Bronx cheer can be ground in wooded , rural , and suburban setting .
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Size:8 - 8.5 in . ( 20.3 - 21.5 cm )
These owls are myopic and compendious . At just 8 column inch in length and with a wingspread of 22 inch , northern saw - whet bird of night are among the minor hooter in the United States . Northern adage - whet owls like to predate on deer mice , using their penetrating beaks to tear their quarry into smaller piece , breaking up a exclusive computer mouse into several meals . Because these owls are nocturnal , and because they ’re so small , they can be difficult to track . But their sharp cries make it easier to turn up them in their wood homes . Northern saw - whet owls are mostly solitary creatures , only socialize with their mates . Females have been know to have two mates , exit the first to resurrect a brood with the second . These bird of Minerva have porphyrin pigment in their feathers , and when illuminated with a ultraviolet radiation light , the ventral side of the fender shows a atomic number 10 pink colouration . This helps research worker determine an bird of night ’s long time .
Named because its call sounds like a saw being sharpen on a whetstone , saw - whet hooter have small head and cat - corresponding fount with comparatively turgid yellowish eyes . With rust - colored backs , breasts , and annexe , northern saw - whet owls have espy heads and classifiable Y - determine mark on their face . These owls use a variety of voice to communicate . They ’re most easily identified by their shrill “ too - too - too ” cry , which they use to attract mate . The call of northern saw - whet bird of night are so trashy that they can be try nearly 1,000 feet away .
One of the most common owl in the U.S. , the northern saw - whet prefers to lie in mountain forests . They can be found year - bout in California , New Mexico , Utah , and Colorado , and in the northeast states , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , New York , and all the means through to Maine . These bird of Minerva can be seen in other territories , too , during non - breeding times . It ’s not unheard of to see northerly saw - whet owl throughout the midwestern United States , including Kansas , Missouri , and Illinois .
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
Size:9 - 10 in . ( 22.9 - 25.5 cm )
Small and problematic , circumboreal owls show the most intimate dimorphism of any other owl , with females acquire twice as with child as the males of the species . Boreal owls are difficult to chase after down because they rest in dissimilar trees every day . They ’re also restrained , although males will begin hooting at Nox in the late wintertime and spring for attract a mate . Boreal bird of Minerva are very diminished , about the size of a robin or puritanic jay . Like most other owls , their skulls are asymmetrical , with one ear opening perched higher than the other . This unique invention enables circumboreal owls to accurately judge both height and distance when closing in on their prey .
With their circular face and red - brown feathers , boreal owls resemble barred bird of night , although they ’re much smaller . These owls have tumid bright icteric eyes , giving them a surprised verbal expression . As their name suggest , circumboreal owls prefer to reside in boreal forest full of spruce , pine , and fir tree tree . circumboreal bird of Minerva are most active at Nox when they track down small mammals and insects .
you may find circumboreal owls in Washington , Idaho , and Montana , though their range goes as far to the south as the northernmost region of New Mexico . Boreal owls love to roost in coniferous tree and evergreen tree diagram . Deforestation has contribute to a decline in home ground for these shy owls . But , while they can be bad to find , they have been known to use nesting box , so installing a few on your property can greatly increase your chances of spotting one .
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Size:14.5 - 15 in . ( 37 - 38 cm )
A definitive birdwatcher best-loved , short - eared owls hunting during the daytime and can be find throughout the United States . These owls are some of the few that prefer to build their own nest . female fabricate their arena - shaped nest in the ground , lining them with feathers , dope , and other flaccid material before laying clasp of 4 to 7 eggs . Short - eared owls have very distinctive flight patterns , with irregular wingbeats similar to that of bats or moth . These birds are typically 17 inches in length and have wingspans of up to 43 inches . They use their brawny wing to stay upright as they swoop foot - first to capture their fair game , which consists of modest mammals , rodents , reptilian , and amphibious vehicle . Short - eared hooter sometimes dine on songster and will tear the annex off before swallow them whole .
The spike tuft of the unawares - eared bird of Minerva are deposit towards the meat of their head , and they ’re so shortsighted that sometimes they may not be visible at all . unawares - eared owls have tawny plume on their backs and wings with tan bellies that are interspersed with erect dark brown streaks . Tailfeathers are relegate . These owls have small , circular faces with pale tan to creamy white facial disks accented by bleak - brim scandalmongering eye . Short - eared bird of Minerva expend shrewd “ waowk - waowk - waowk ” calls to communicate and “ eeee - yerp ” cry during the mating time of year .
Excellent long - length fliers , suddenly - eared owls have been reported landing on watercraft hundreds of miles from shore . These birds will fly over the ocean and Din Land to reach their breeding grounds in northern Canada . you could regain short - eared bird of night living year - round of drinks in the north and northwest constituent of the United States . But , because they travel regularly , you’re able to spot stragglers in nearly every state in the nation . These birds prefer to dwell in undecided areas , including grasslands , marshes , and farmland .
Great Gray Owl
genus Strix nebulosa
Size:25 - 33 in . ( 63.5 - 84 cm )
At 33 - inches longsighted , gravid gray owl are the turgid species of bird of Minerva in the world in terms of length , with females being slightly big than male . These birds have an telling wingspan averaging around 5 feet . But , even though this owl looks quite large , it actually is n’t that heavy — it ’s mostly feather . Unlike great horned owls , which can weigh up to 5.5 pounds , great gray-headed owls are padded out with heavy feather and press just 3.75 pound . Their light weight unit allows them to fly quietly as they scour the wood trading floor in hunt of food . Their asymmetric pinna openings enable them to chase their prey while their powerful feet and talon can clear through thickly - pack coke to capture rodents and belittled mammalian tunneling beneath it .
With its gray-haired feather and haunting expression , the bang-up grey hooter has also been dubbed the Phantom of the North . This steel to dark-brown - grey hooter has a jet appearance with amber yellow eyes and large disks palisade them , giving them an befittingly heady expression . Just beneath the fowl ’s beak rest a white “ bowtie ” that tapers to rounded ends . The great gray bird of Minerva use deep , rhythmical “ whoo - whoos ” to guard its territories and pass on with its family .
Great gray bird of Minerva can be chance year - round in boreal woodland in the northmost states . Look for these beautiful Bronx cheer of quarry in Minnesota , Michigan , Wisconsin , and New York . You ’re also likely to spot them in California , Oregon , Idaho , and even portion of Wyoming and Utah .
Snowy Owl
genus Bubo scandiacus
Size:20.5 - 27.9 in . ( 52 - 71 cm )
Snowy owls are the heaviest owls , with adults averaging between 3 and 5 pound . Their dense plume take a shit them grievous , but it also allows them to hold out the cold temperature of the Arctic tundra . These are potent birds at roughly 28 inch farsighted with a wingspan of 57 column inch . They ’re strong-growing , too , using their acuate talons and strong foot to defend their territories from predators and competition . These owls Holman Hunt almost entirely during the daylight and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings in a year . Their rapacious appetites can have a annihilating impingement on their food supply , but these skilled fliers are willing and capable to vanish south in search of prey . Snowy bird of Minerva populations have declined 64 % since 1970 due to illegal hunt and vehicle collisions , as well as clime change .
juvenile person of the species have dark-brown and black markings over a pedestal of white-hot plume . As these razzing age , they misplace most of their markings . At maturity , males will be almost pure white , with females retaining some of their patternings . These owls have hoarse voice and apply a salmagundi of calls , the most frequent of which is a rhythmical “ krooh - krooh - krooh - krooh ” .
Snowy owls do n’t live in the United States all year long , however , they do winter in the northern province . you’re able to see snowy owl from Washington all the room across to Maine . In years when their favored prey was especially circumscribed , snowy owls were sighted as far to the south as Florida , so it ’s possible to blot one of these beauties no matter where you are in the U.S.
Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
Size:13.5 - 17.5 in . ( 33.5 - 44.4 cm )
As birds of prey , owls must rely on all of their senses to conclude in on a putting to death . But the northern hawk bird of night prefers to hunt by wad and can spy its fair game from an amazing distance of half a Swedish mile by . These owls have poorer earshot than most others because their ear opening are not asymmetrical . Still , they can trail small mammalian beneath a foot of snow if motive be . As their name mean , the northerly hawk owl prefers to stick to the northernmost part of North America , but stragglers have been know to find their mode south as food becomes scarce . Northern hawk owls nest in dead tree and vacuous stumps , where they raise clutches of 3 to 11 eggs at a time . Fearless and confrontational , northern hawk bird of night will attack anything that cast too near to their nesting site , whether it ’s a squirrel or a human being .
Hawk owls search like owls , but dissemble like hawks , perching in treetops and searching for their prey right out in the out-of-doors during the daylight hours . These owls are characterized by long tail coat and small round heads surrounded by a boundary line of dark browned plume . Their vivacious yellow optic and beaks stand in stark contrast to their reddish - brown feathers . Northern peddle owls have well-nigh strong chocolate-brown backs and striped fronts and use shrill rolling whistles to attract potential mates .
These glorious birds do not survive in the United States year - pear-shaped , but they do like to pass their winter here . you may find the northern hawk owl in the forests of the northernmost states , admit New Hampshire , Vermont , and New York all the way to the west , in Washington , Idaho , and Montana .
Long-Eared Owl
Asio genus Otus
Size:14 - 16 in . ( 35 - 40 cm )
At 15 column inch in length and with an impressive wingspan of 39 inches , the long - eared bird of night has been known to steal nest away from John Jay and crow to evoke their own young . This somewhat tough bird of night can be sturdy to come up , preferring to seek shelter in slow timberland . And , unfortunately , its universe has decline 91 % since 1970 . Unlike most owls , long - eared owls are not very territorial and prefer to rely on their camouflage to hide from potential predators . When confronted , most long - eared owls simply fly by . Because these birds can be skittish , they can be problematic for birdwatchers to track down . But if you are prosperous enough to tell apart a long - eared owl , keep your eyes peeled for more — long - eared bird of Minerva roost in groups of 6 to 50 .
At first glance , the long - eared bird of Minerva greatly resembles the great horned hooter . But a closer review reveals that long - eared owls own a classifiable V - form feather design on their face . The tufts of feathers that make up their facial expression disks circumvent lustrous orange eyes , move over them a surprised verbal expression . The second set of feather tussock sitting on top of their heads give them their iconic long - eared appearance These are gangly birds that have tan faces with motley plume in shades of brown , tan , gray , and blank .
Long - eared bird of Minerva live year - round in Wyoming , Nevada , Colorado , Arizona , New York , Michigan , and Wisconsin . During the breeding time of year , these bird hazard farther north to Montana , North Dakota , and Minnesota . These birds can be blot in all but the southernmost portion of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas . Long - eared owls favor to hold out in undefended spaces that have dense bunch of dispel trees , providing them with a secure position to seek shelter as they hunt for modest mammals .
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Size:18 - 26 in . ( 46 - 63 cm )
Far from meek , Great Horned owls have been get it on to trace other skirt of prey , including ospreys , peregrines , and even other bird of Minerva . With their potent talon , these birds can exert 28 - pounds of force allowing them to harness larger fair game . gravid orned bird of night are a major threat to other birds , especially jays and crows . In fact , if you ever hear a large group of these boo hold a fuss , there ’s a good chance it ’s because a great horned owl has baffle too close to their nests . The great tusk owl ’s plumage is radical - soft , and this ply the animals with several benefit . For starters , it protect them from the coarse cold . But it also muffles go , allow them to take flight silently as they swoop down on their target . Interestingly , although the females of the species are larger than the males , females have higher - cant over voice , and mated twain often synchronize their calls .
The great tusk owl is well describe by a matching pair of tuft on either side of its headspring , giving it a horned coming into court . They have gray to red - chocolate-brown block off plumage and gilded yellow eye that do not move within the sockets . These razz can rotate their head 180 degrees to see and hear what ’s going on around them . Facial plumage discs help oneself verbatim soundwaves to their ears , reserve them to cross their prey , and their wide-eyed wings enable them to fly dexterously , with serrated primary feathers dispersing turbulence and softer plumage smother sound .
These glorious owls can be found in every Department of State in the state except Hawaii . These bird of Minerva are native to the Americas , and they ’re extremely adaptable , dwell in forested , rural , and urban area likewise . While you ’re liable to see a great horn hooter just about anywhere , keep your eyes flake near wooded areas , peculiarly along treelines as these Bronx cheer care to perch near heart-to-heart playing area to find their target .
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Size:19 - 22 in . ( 48.25 - 56 centimeter )
sea captain of camo , barred owls can be toughened to spot . Fortunately , their flash hoot calls “ Who cooks for you ? Who falsify for you all ? ” are soft to hear . Barred bird of Minerva prefer to dwell in forests where they can give chase down rabbit , squirrels , and even racoon . These owls saw a serious population boom in the 20th century , expanding their range to include forestland in the western states . Barred bird of night run to stay close to base throughout their lives , often only traveling around a 6 - mile spoke . Like barn bird of night , banish owl are monogamous and do most of their hunting at night .
With their mystifying brown eye and gentle round faces , barred hooter look just as you would expect hooter to look . These birds are covered in red - chocolate-brown plume with livid horizontal grade insignia or Browning automatic rifle . Barred owls are most normally spotted on the edges of timber at fall , where they can easily settle their quarry .
Once relegated to southeastern Canada and New England , the barricade owl expanded westward . These owls can now be found in part of Minnesota , Nebraska , Kansas , and Oklahoma . Barred bird of night have become quite adaptable , and can be spotted in urban areas as well as rural regions . These birds are super territorial , with paired pairs getting into hooting match with outsider in parliamentary law to hold their family .
How to Attract New Hampshire Owls to Your Backyard
While some owls , like the boreal owl and the whiskered screech - owl , avoid human and can be tough to regain , other owls , like the barred bird of night and eastern and westerly screech - owls , are much easier to attract .
Installnesting boxeson trees , pole , and fences to encourage your locality owls to take up manse on your property . pass on brush , Grant Wood cumulation , and old lawn trimmings provides home for voles , field mice , coney , gophers , andsnakes . get plenty of these critter nearby is a surefire way to get your local owls ’ aid .
Because many bird of night like to feed onsongbirdsandsquirrels , setting up a wench feeder andgetting a bird bathcan also encourage owls to pay you a sojourn . Of of course , some raspberry act to scare owl off . Jay , crow , blackbirds , grackles , and starlings regularly mob bird of Minerva , so take measures to scare off these birds by — take down starling nesting boxes , and remove cracked clavus and peanuts from your feeders , which are the favourite foods of these doll .
hooter make out to sit on poles and in leafless trees because they make it easygoing for them to spot prey . Make certain your owls have plenty of spots to perch on . you could also appeal these birds by restrain your outdoor body process , especially in the other morning and belated eventide hr when they care to hunt down . Together , all of these measure will help your region owls experience right at home in your backyard .
All State Owls
need to see what owl species are find in other states ? Here ’s our complete list of owls found in each state :
