9 Types of Owls in Massachusetts

|

Spread the love for animals! 🐾

Massachusetts has several places to watch different types of owls, from Cape Cod to Boston and Pittsfield to Plymouth.

Nine distinct species call the Bay State home. Some migrate there only in the winter or during the breeding season, while others stay there all year.

Urbanites, suburbanites, and country inhabitants all get to see these magnificent raptors. The Great Gray Owl, the biggest owl in the US, is also the least common.

On the other hand, the Great Horned Owl is a little smaller but far more widespread.

Our blog post will provide information on the different types of owls in Massachusetts. When birdwatching, use your ears to find whatever you’re looking for.

Owls emit distinct chirps, growls, screeches, and hoots. Let’s go!

1. Great Horned Owl 

Great Horned Owl
by USFWS Mountain Prairie is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Great Horned Owl(Bubo, Virginia, us) is first on our list of types of owls in Massachusetts.

The great horned owl is widely recognized for its distinctive hoot and its depiction in films like the Harry Potter series. 

These enormous types of owls in Massachusetts have a maximum weight of five and a half pounds.

They can take down ferocious prey like ospreys and falcons because they have powerful claws and good flying abilities.

Once they have something in their claws, prying them apart takes 28 pounds of power.

From Mexico to northern Alaska, these types of owls in Massachusetts can be found throughout North America.

It is among the most widespread owls in deserts, mountains, woodlands, and prairies. 

In Massachusetts, the great horned owl is equally at home in urban areas, rural settings, and wilderness.

All of this suggests that your chances of seeing one are good.

As the second-largest owl in the state, it may be found anywhere in Massachusetts, including Massachusetts City, and you won’t have to search very far.

2. Barred Owl 

Barred Owl
by James P. Mann is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A barred owl(Strix Varia) is also on our list of types of owls in Massachusetts.

The great horned owl and the barred owl are about the same size, but the barred owl weighs significantly less. 

They have different bars all over their body and are mottled brown and white. The breasts’ bars are vertical and horizontal on the rest of their bodies.

These types of owls in Massachusetts are not loud ones. 

Though they often remain silent, occasionally, you can hear them calling out during the day.

Barred owls prefer dense forests, whether in a swamp or mountain. They are not seen in urban areas or on plains. 

They are widespread throughout the eastern US and as far north as Canada.

The types of owls in Massachusetts’ range have grown recently, and now their populations are in the Pacific Northwest. They stay put throughout their entire lives.

3. Short-eared Owl 

Short-eared Owl
by Koshyk is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Short-Eared Owl is next on our list of types of owls in Massachusetts. You were correct to assume that these owls have little ear tufts.

Owls have ear tufts that help guide sound to their ears, allowing them to hear prospective predators and engage in hunting

The ear tufts of short-eared owls are tiny and resemble small horns.

These types of owls in Massachusetts can be identified by their characteristic brown and white mottling bordered by black bars.

The eyes are golden and have dark black outlines around the cream-colored face.

The fact that they are active during the day makes it even simpler to notice them than their striking appearance would otherwise suggest. 

They even have a distinctive flight pattern similar to a moth, making identification easier.

They don’t love woody places as many owls do. They enjoy grasses and wide areas. They build underground nests.

4. Eastern Screech Owl 

Eastern Screech Owl
by Dave Williss is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Most of the eastern screech owl’s habitat is on the east side of the Rocky Mountains. You may find them all year long in Massachusetts in every state region.

The eastern screech owl(Megascops asio)  is a skilled concealer.

Thanks to their gray or reddish-brown mottling, they seamlessly blend into the bark of trees, where they like to perch and build their nests.

You might not notice them until you glimpse their glowing, bright yellow eyes.

They feature a yellow beak, prominent ear tufts, and a black V between their eyes.

These owls in Massachusetts hunt at night, making it extremely hard to observe them.

Your best option is to keep an ear out for their whiny trill call and keep an eye out.

5. Long-eared Owl

Long-eared Owl
by DarrelBirkett is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The name “long-eared owl” comes from the long ear tufts exhibited by these owls. With hints of buff or orange, the tufts are mostly black. Between their bright eyes are two white lines.

They have brown bodies that are spotted and thin. These nocturnal raptors forage on grasslands or open spaces while nesting in trees.

They frequently make hoots, squeals, and barks that are easy to recognize. They speak loudly.

They can fly extraordinarily long distances, although they typically only migrate at night. 

Researchers have identified birds that migrated from Canada to Mexico in a single year.

Massachusetts residents and visitors should watch for this owl during the winter. They are fairly uncommon no matter where you are.

6. Northern Saw-whet Owl 

Northern Saw-whet Owl
by Wildreturn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The body of a northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) is mottled brown and white and is little, approximately the size of a robin.

They have heart-shaped faces with large golden eyes and a tiny white V-mark between their eyes.

They are challenging to spot, especially at night when they search for their preferred prey—deer mice.

But you can tell they’re nearby if you keep an ear out for their sharp call. 

If you look closely, you might be able to spot them because they build their nests in tree cavities at roughly eye level during the day.

But don’t rouse the birds from their slumber! Don’t look for them in open spaces or urban areas because they only inhabit mature forests. They travel long distances to breed

7. Barn Owl 

Barn Owl
by DarrelBirkett is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) is next on our list of types of owls in Massachusetts.

The barn owl earned its name because it prefers to live in abandoned barns and other structures in rural areas. 

They also build their nests in tree cavities. They search for prey by soaring over open spaces and listening. They have great hearing, as you can imagine.

A barn owl can be identified by its distinctive face. They have heart-shaped faces of pure white, with big, black eyes. Their back and wings are speckled, gray, golden, or cinnamon. 

They appear all-white from below when flying because their chest and the undersides of their wings are white. In contrast to the great horned owls, they lack ear tufts.

8. Snowy Owl 

Snowy Owl
by AcrylicArtist is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The snowy owl(Bubo scandiacus) is a beautiful bird. The males‘ eyes are dazzling, cat-like yellow, and mostly white.

Females and young birds have dark brown or black markings. As they age, the males become paler.

On the long summer days, snowy owls hunt for mammals like lemmings and ptarmigans in the Arctic Circle, where they reside.

You may typically find them sitting on the ground near their hunting grounds. 

They will also perch on fences, hay bales, power or telephone poles, and abandoned buildings.

They examine the tundra or fields where they prey by flying low to the ground.

These owls frequently stop by Massachusetts during the winter. They consume lemmings, mice, hares, and seabirds.

9. Great Gray Owl 

Great Gray Owl
by Wildreturn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

This is the last on our list of types of owls in Massachusetts. One of the biggest owl species in the US is the great gray owl(Asio flammeu).

They are a little bit lighter but bigger than a Great Horned Owl. 

They are roughly the size of a goose and a crow. They are gray with silver, white, and brown bars or streaks, as the name implies.

They have brown circles around their bright yellow eyes, divided by a white “X.” 

They have a big, spherical skull but no ear tufts. They are difficult to locate because they don’t want to be around people or populated areas.

You normally observe them rather than hear them because they don’t call out often and are quiet as they fly. 

Great Gray owls in Massachusetts are small-mammal hunters residing in coniferous woods.

You can spot this owl in Massachusetts’ eastern region in winter.

They rarely move their residence unless they go further north or to lower elevations for food.

Spread the love for animals! 🐾
Obialor Vivian
Obialor Vivian
A professional content writer who creates written material for websites, blogs, social media, and other forms of digital media. Skillful in crafting engaging, informative, and persuasive content designed to attract and retain an audience, build brand awareness, and drive business growth. Also, work closely with marketing and SEO teams to ensure their content is optimized for search engines and targeted to specific audiences.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

15 Best Dog Breeds for Seniors: Perfect Companions for Your Golden Years

Finding the perfect canine companion during your golden years isn't just about choosing a cute face—it's about selecting a...

5 Different Types of Boxer Dog Breeds

In Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the Boxer dog breed is a popular mastiff-type Molosser dog breed.This dog...

6 Different Types of Sweat Bees

Sweat bees, also known as halictid bees, are small, solitary bees that can be found worldwide. There are different...

21 Different Types of Pheasants You Should Know

Pheasants have to be some of the most spectacular birds out there, right? Their wild colors and crazy plumage...

Is the Blue Macaw Extinct?

The blue macaw is a stunning and charismatic bird that has captured the hearts of many with its vibrant...

6 Different Types of Insects That Make Noise

What do you hear? The chirps, tweets, and thumps you hear are an insect symphony singing each species' distinctive...

11 Different Types of Tiny Ants

It may surprise some, but tiny ants are becoming increasingly common in households nationwide.Although these ants may be small,...

15 Animals That Will Hunt You for Food (And Where They Live)

While walking through the wilderness or swimming in tropical waters, you might never imagine that you could become someone's...

Deadly Frogs That Are Poisonous to Humans in Under 10 Minutes: Complete Safety Guide

Just 2 micrograms of batrachotoxin can kill an adult human – that's roughly the weight of a grain of...

21 Different Wasps You’ll Spot in Wisconsin

Are you curious about the different types of wasps in Wisconsin that you can find? With over 600 species...

Featured...

Can Dogs Have Lemon?

Can dogs have a lemon? You might not have...

26 Different Types of Spiders in Arkansas

What are the most common types of spiders in...

10 Fun Facts About British Shorthair Cats

British Shorthair cats are among the most beloved feline...

Can Chickens Eat Tulips?

As a chicken owner, it's important to provide your...

5 Popular Types of Ants With Wings

Did you know that there are several types of...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you