By Avian Feathers Team
Published July 2025

Washington’s forests, wetlands, and open fields are home to some of the most mysterious birds of the night: owls. Some are common backyard visitors, while others stay hidden in dense woods or remote mountains. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, keep your ears open after sunset: you might hear one calling nearby.

1. Great Horned Owl

This is the classic owl you probably picture: big, fierce, powerful. Great Horned Owls have large ear tufts, bright yellow eyes, and a deep hooting voice. They can live just about anywhere, from forests to city parks.

Size

Length: 18–25 in (46–64 cm)
Wingspan: 39–57 in (99–145 cm)
Weight: 2–5.5 lbs (0.9–2.5 kg)
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus

2. Barn Owl

With its heart-shaped face and ghostly white body, the Barn Owl is hard to forget. These silent hunters prefer open fields, barns, and grasslands. Their eerie screech can send chills down your spine.

Size

Length: 12.5–16 in (32–41 cm)
Wingspan: 31–37 in (80–95 cm)
Weight: 14–24 oz (400–700 g)
Scientific Name: Tyto alba

3. Barred Owl

Known for its classic “Who cooks for you?” call, the Barred Owl loves wooded swamps and forests. It has dark eyes, brown-and-white bars on its chest, and a calm, round face.

Size

Length: 16–25 in (40–63 cm)
Wingspan: 38–49 in (96–124 cm)
Weight: 1–2.5 lbs (0.5–1.1 kg)
Scientific Name: Strix varia

4. Northern Saw-whet Owl

Tiny but fierce, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is mostly nocturnal and hard to spot. It has a big round head, no ear tufts, and wide yellow eyes. Their tooting call sounds like a truck backing up.

Size

Length: 7–8.5 in (18–22 cm)
Wingspan: 17–22 in (43–56 cm)
Weight: 2.3–5.3 oz (65–150 g)
Scientific Name: Aegolius acadicus

5. Western Screech-Owl

These small owls blend in perfectly with tree bark. You might hear their soft, trilling calls near suburban yards or wooded streams. They’re shy, but once you know their sound, you’ll notice them more often.

Size

Length: 7.5–10 in (19–25 cm)
Wingspan: 21–24 in (53–61 cm)
Weight: 3.5–11 oz (100–300 g)
Scientific Name: Megascops kennicottii

6. Snowy Owl

These white wonders are rare in Washington but show up during irruptions. Snowy Owls prefer coastal areas and open fields. If you see one, it’s usually sitting out in the open, watching everything around it.

Size

Length: 20–28 in (51–71 cm)
Wingspan: 49–59 in (125–150 cm)
Weight: 3.5–6.5 lbs (1.6–3 kg)
Scientific Name: Bubo scandiacus

7. Northern Pygmy-Owl

Don’t let the size fool you: this tiny owl is a daytime hunter! Northern Pygmy-Owls are active and bold, often taking on birds their size or bigger. Look for them in conifer forests.

Size

Length: 6–7 in (15–18 cm)
Wingspan: 14–16 in (36–41 cm)
Weight: 2–2.5 oz (56–70 g)
Scientific Name: Glaucidium gnoma

8. Short-eared Owl

These owls prefer wide open spaces like fields, prairies, and marshes. They’re often active at dusk or dawn, gliding low over the grass. Short-eared Owls have yellow eyes and faint ear tufts.

Size

Length: 13–17 in (34–43 cm)
Wingspan: 33–43 in (85–110 cm)
Weight: 7.3–16.8 oz (206–475 g)
Scientific Name: Asio flammeus

9. Long-eared Owl

Secretive and slender, Long-eared Owls are great at hiding. They roost in dense trees during the day and come out at night to hunt. Their long ear tufts and orange faces give them a surprised look.

Size

Length: 13–16 in (33–40 cm)
Wingspan: 35–39 in (90–100 cm)
Weight: 7.8–15 oz (220–425 g)
Scientific Name: Asio otus

10. Boreal Owl

These rare visitors prefer quiet, dense conifer forests. Boreal Owls are small and secretive, with a soft hooting call. They’re usually found in higher elevations in remote northern areas.

Size

Length: 8–11 in (20–28 cm)
Wingspan: 20–24 in (51–61 cm)
Weight: 3.3–6.3 oz (93–180 g)
Scientific Name: Aegolius funereus

11. Flammulated Owl

This tiny owl has reddish-gray feathers that help it blend in with tree bark. Flammulated Owls are summer visitors to Washington’s mountain forests. They eat mostly insects and are rarely seen.

Size

Length: 6 in (15 cm)
Wingspan: 14 in (36 cm)
Weight: 1.5–2.2 oz (42–63 g)
Scientific Name: Psiloscops flammeolus

12. Northern Hawk Owl

A rare sight in Washington, the Northern Hawk Owl hunts during the day and looks more like a hawk than an owl. It prefers open forests and clearings and can spot prey from far away.

Size

Length: 14–17 in (36–44 cm)
Wingspan: 27–32 in (69–82 cm)
Weight: 8.5–14 oz (240–400 g)
Scientific Name: Surnia ulula

Washington’s diverse habitats provide an ideal sanctuary for a fascinating array of owl species, from common backyard residents to elusive inhabitants of remote forests. Whether you’re enchanted by the iconic call of the Great Horned Owl or hoping for a rare glimpse of a majestic Snowy Owl, the state offers unparalleled opportunities for owl enthusiasts. Each of these twelve species, with their unique calls, hunting behaviors, and preferred environments, contributes significantly to Washington’s rich nocturnal ecosystem. Discovering these mysterious birds of the night underscores the state’s remarkable biodiversity and the quiet wonders that await after sunset.

Where to Spot Owls in Washington

Washington’s varied landscapes offer different opportunities to observe these captivating nocturnal (and sometimes diurnal) birds:

  • Great Horned Owl: Extremely common and adaptable. Found nearly everywhere from dense forests and rural areas to suburban parks and even cityscapes. Listen for their deep, resonant hoots after dark.

  • Barn Owl: Prefer open country, grasslands, agricultural fields, marshes, and farmlands, especially where old barns, silos, or abandoned buildings offer roosting and nesting sites. Active at dusk and dawn.

  • Barred Owl: Common in wooded swamps, dense deciduous and mixed forests, and riparian areas across western Washington and expanding into eastern parts. Listen for their distinctive “Who cooks for you?” call.

  • Northern Saw-whet Owl: Small and secretive, found in dense coniferous and mixed forests throughout Washington. Best detected by their repetitive “tooting” call, especially during breeding season.

  • Western Screech-Owl: Commonly found in wooded habitats, suburban areas, parks, and along streamsides. They often blend perfectly with tree bark; listen for their soft, trilling calls.

  • Snowy Owl: A rare, irruptive winter visitor to Washington, typically found in coastal areas, open fields, prairies, and agricultural lands when they do appear. They often perch on fence posts or small humps of land.

  • Northern Pygmy-Owl: Active and bold daytime hunters. Look for them in conifer forests throughout the state, often perched conspicuously.

  • Short-eared Owl: Prefer wide open spaces like grasslands, prairies, marshes, and agricultural fields. Often seen hunting low over the ground at dusk or dawn.

  • Long-eared Owl: Secretive, roosting in dense conifer stands or thickets during the day. They hunt at night in open woodlands and grasslands. Best found by listening for their calls during breeding season or looking for pellets at roost sites.

  • Boreal Owl: Rare and found in higher elevation, dense conifer forests in remote northern parts of Washington. Very difficult to spot due to their habitat and nocturnal nature.

  • Flammulated Owl: A small, migratory owl that is a summer visitor to mountainous conifer forests in Washington, especially ponderosa pine and Douglas fir stands. Rarely seen due to their size, camouflage, and nocturnal, insectivorous habits.

  • Northern Hawk Owl: An uncommon and irregular winter visitor to Washington, typically found in open conifer forests, clearings, and recently logged areas, particularly in northern parts of the state. Hunts during the day.

Ever seen any of these owls on a night walk or camping trip?
Let us know which one surprised you the most!

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