There are many different types of owls in New Hampshire, and they can be divided into two main categories: those that live in woods and those that live in open country.
According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, the Granite State is home to nearly 300 species of birds, including 186 that consistently breed inside its borders.
Given that New Hampshire is one of the smallest states in the union, that’s quite an accomplishment!
What’s more, the state is home to different species of owls. The following list will introduce the various types of owls in New Hampshire!
1. Eastern Screech-Owl
The Eastern screech owl is the first species on our list of owls in New Hampshire. It is a small owl native to the eastern United States. These owls are relatively common and can be found in forests, fields, and urban areas.
Screech-Owls get their name from their unique call, a trill that can last up to two seconds tomorrow. Screech owls are small, measuring only 8-10 inches in length. They have large heads and tufts of feathers on their ears. Their plumage varies, but most screech owls are gray, brown, or reddish.
Screech-Owls are mostly active at night but may also be active during the day. These owls hunt by perching on a branch and waiting for prey to come within range
2. Great Grey Owl
The scientific name for the great grey owl, the second on this list of the types of owls in New Hampshire, is Strix nebulosa. It is a large owl with a body length of up to 60 cm (24 in) and a wingspan of up to 152 cm (60 in). The great grey owl is one of the heaviest owls in North America, with males weighing up to 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) and females up to 3.6 kg (7.9 lb).
The great gray owl is found in boreal forests and taiga in the northern hemisphere. It is very elusive and is rarely seen by humans. When it is seen, it is often mistaken for a ghost or a shadow due to its large size and gray plumage. The great gray owl is a powerful hunter, preying on small mammals such as rodents.
3. American Barn Owl
The American barn owl is a species of owl native to the United States. Barn owls are known for their distinctive heart-shaped faces and their hunters’ call, which sounds like “twit twoo.” Nocturnal predators hunt by silent flight, using their acute hearing to locate their prey.
Barn owls are found in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. They nest in cavities, often using old abandoned nests of other animals. American barn owls typically mate for life and can have up to six offspring at a time.
The American barn owl is a protected species in the United States and is considered to be of the least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This comes third on our list of the different types of owls in New Hampshire to know!
4. Great Horned Owl
Compared to the other types of owls in New Hampshire, the Great Horned Owl is a large and powerful bird of prey. They are expert hunters, and their sharp talons and beaks make them deadly predators. Great Horned Owls are found worldwide and are one of the most common owl species in North America.
Great Horned Owls are named for their distinctive ear tufts, which are feathers. These ear tufts help to camouflage the owl and make it look like a branch or leaf. Great Horned Owls are mostly brown and white, with color variations depending on the subspecies.
Great Horned Owls are nocturnal creatures adept at hunting in the dark. Their keen eyesight and sharp hearing allow them to locate their prey even in the darkest night. Once they have spotted their prey, they
5. Barred Owl
The barred owl (Strix varia) is a medium-sized owl with dark brown or gray plumage and distinctive barring on the breast and belly. This owl is a member of the family Strigidae, which includes all owls. The barred owl is found in North and Central America, from southern Canada to Mexico. It is a relatively common owl, and its range is expanding.
The barred owl is a nocturnal hunter that preys on small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. It hunts from perches or by flying low over the ground, using its sharp claws and beak to kill its prey. This owl typically nests in trees but also uses man-made structures like buildings and bridges.
The barred owl is not considered to be endangered or threatened. However, it is not left out of this list of the various types of owls in New Hampshire.
6. Snowy Owl
The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large bird of prey that is native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. These striking owls are mostly white, with dark markings on their wings and tails.
Snowy owls are one of the largest types of owls in New Hampshire and can grow to a length of up to 26 inches. While these owls are usually found in the Arctic tundra, they will sometimes venture into more temperate climates in search of food. When they do, they are often seen hunting in open fields or along the edges of forests.
Snowy owls primarily eat small mammals such as rodents and hares but also birds, reptiles, and insects. If you’re lucky enough to see a snowy owl in the wild, you’ll be treated to the sight of one of nature
7. Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout the Americas. Unlike most, burrowing owls are active during the day but will also hunt at night. These owls in New Hampshire get their name from their habit of living in burrows, which they often dig themselves.
Burrowing owls are found in various habitats, including grasslands, deserts, and suburban areas. These adaptable birds are currently doing well but were once endangered due to habitat loss and persecution.
Thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers are now on the rise. If you’re lucky enough to see a burrowing owl, you’ll be treated to the sight of one of the most unique and interesting owls in the world.
8. Long-Eared Owl
The long-eared owl, on this list of the types of owls in New Hampshire, is a medium-sized owl with long ear tufts. It is a nocturnal hunter and feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects. The long-eared owl is found in woods and forest edges throughout North America and Europe.
This owl gets its name from the tufts of feathers on its head that resemble ears. The long-eared owl is brown or gray with white spots on its belly. It has a yellow beak and dark brown eyes.
The long-eared owl is a shy bird that is seldom seen. When it is seen, it is often mistaken for the more common short-eared owl.
9. Short-Eared Owl
The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a medium-sized owl with a wingspan of about 3 feet. It is found in open habitats worldwide and gets its name from its short ear tufts, which are located on the top of its head.
Short-eared owls are also one of the interesting types of owls in New Hampshire and are known for their hunting skills. These owls prey on small mammals and birds, which they locate by listening to the sound of their movement.
Once they have located their prey, they will swoop down and grab it with their sharp talons. If you’re lucky enough to spot a short-eared owl in the wild, you’re sure to be impressed by this majestic bird.
10. Northern Saw-Whet Owl
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl is a small owl found in North America. It gets its name from its call, which sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whetstone. These owls are nocturnal hunters and mostly eat mice and voles.
Northern Saw-Whet Owls are about the size of a robin, with a round head and no ear tufts. They are brown or gray above and have white spots on their wings. The underparts are white with brown bars. Northern Saw-Whet Owls have yellow eyes and a black beak.
These are types of owls in New Hampshire that nest in trees, laying 2-5 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 28 days while the male feeds her. The young owls fledge (leave the nest) at 4-5 weeks old and are independent at
11. Boreal Owl
Unlike the other owl species on this list, Boreal owls are not widely found in New Hampshire. They’re relatively rare in the northeastern United States. They are, however, seasonal winter visitors to the state, so if you happen to be there during the cooler months of the year and have a bit of luck on your side, you might spot one.
These birds are little and charming, with large heads and small ear tufts. However, their most distinguishing trait is the little white spots across the birds’ face disks. However, it is still considered one of the types of owls in New Hampshire.
12. Northern Hawk-Owl
The northern hawk owl is the last but not least of the types of owls in New Hampshire. A long, pointed tail complements the oval-shaped body of the medium-sized bird.
Like the burrowing owl mentioned above, this species is most active during the day but occasionally ventures out at night. They are mainly found around wetlands and in open coniferous forests.
