
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
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!