10 Species Of Owls You Can Find In Michigan

In this post, I will list, and discuss 10 species of owls in Michigan. Michigan is located in the upper Midwest of the United States, near the Great Lakes.

It is the biggest state east of the Mississippi River, ranking 10th in terms of population and 11th in terms of area, with a population of roughly 10.12 million and a land area of nearly 250,000 km2.

And do you know? Owls are regarded as one of the most intelligent birds, and the fact that they hunt mice and other tiny animals makes them a well-known effective pest control method in rural areas.

With that said, If you stick with this post, you will learn about some of the common owl species that you can find in Michigan.

So, if you are planning a vacation to Michigan or you are a resident or you just want to learn about birds in Michigan, then this post is for you.

READ: 8 Birds With Insanely Long Necks

Owls In Michigan

Here are the most common owls in Michigan;

1. Barn owl
2. Great grey owl
3. Eastern screech owl
4. Short-eared owl
5. Long-eared owl
6. Boreal Owl
7. Northern saw-whet owl
8. Snowy Owl
9. Great Horned Owl
10. Barred Owl

Let’s get to it.

1. Barn Owl

Except for the arctic and arid regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands, the barn owl is one of the most widely distributed owl species in the world and one of the most common bird species.

To distinguish it from the other members of its family, Tytonidae which constitutes one of the two major lineages of living owls with the other being the typical owls is also referred to as the common barn owl.

The western barn owl which is found in Europe, western Asia, and Africa; the eastern barn owl, which is found in southeastern Asia and Australasia; and the American barn owl, which is found in the Americas, are at least three main lineages of barn owls.

Also, there are up to five different species of barn owl recognized by some taxonomic authorities, and further research is required to unify the varying taxonomies.

Among the roughly 28 subspecies, there is a great deal of variety in size and color, but the majority are between 33 and 39 cm (13 and 15 in) in length, with wingspans ranging from 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in).

The underparts’ plumage ranges from white to brown and is occasionally flecked with dark patterns, while the head and back are a mottled shade of grey or brown.

In the majority of subspecies, the face is white and has a distinctive heart shape. Instead of hooting, this owl makes a strange, prolonged shriek.

However, the majority of the barn owl’s range is at night, although in Great Britain and several Pacific Islands, it also hunts during the day.

Plus, because of their keen hearing, barn owls are experts at hunting creatures on the ground, and the majority of their diet consists of small mammals.

Unless one of the owl pairs is murdered, which might lead to the formation of a new pair bond, owls often stay together for life. Still, depending on the region, their breeding occurs at various times throughout the year.

A clutch of eggs, often four in number, is laid in a nest inside a hollow tree, an abandoned building, or a rock fissure.

2. Great Grey Owl

The great grey owl is the longest species of owl in the world and is a very massive bird that you can also find in Michigan.

The great grey owl is thought to be the largest owl in the world, outweighing both the Blakiston’s fish owl and the Eurasian eagle-owl in terms of length. These two species along with several others most notably the majority of the genus Bubo, outnumber the great grey.

With that said, their preferred nesting habitat is often the taiga’s deep coniferous forests which are close to open spaces like meadows or bogs.

READ: 5 Most Common Species Of Owls In North Carolina

This owl has been observed nesting in mixed oak woodlands in Oregon and California. It is now recognized that this bird can survive in a few places where summer temperatures rise above 100 °F (38 °C), contrary to earlier beliefs that it needs a frigid climate.

3. Eastern Screech Owl

A little owl that is rather abundant in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada, is the eastern screech owl.

This species is native to most of the wooded areas in its territory, and more than any other owl in its range, it has adapted well to human development, yet its exclusively nocturnal activities usually help it avoid notice.

However, Adults weigh 121-244 g (4+1/4-8+5/8 oz) and range in length from 16 to 25 cm (6+12 to 10 in). And across the various races, the average length ranges from 19.5 to 23.8 cm (7+11-16 to 9+3-8 in) while the wingspan may be between 46 and 61 cm (18 to 24 in).

With that said, Eastern screech owls only spend the day in tree cavities or adjacent to their trunks making them nocturnal.

They are rather typical and frequently encountered in residential areas and they are much more heard than seen, though, because of their small size and camouflage. It’s common to hear these owls calling at night, especially in the spring when they breed.

The owl in question does not shriek, despite its moniker. The eastern screech owl makes a whiny-like, falling tremolo sound that is reminiscent of a small horse, and they also generate a monotonous, 3- to 5-second trill.

However, their distinct vocalizations are easy to identify and have phrasing that differs markedly from that of the western screech owl.

4. Short-Eared Owl

A widespread grassland species in the Strigidae family is the short-eared owl and they can be found in Michigan. These owls are known as “eared owls” because of the feather tufts on their heads that resemble mammalian ears.

Though, there may or may not be apparent “ear” tufts. In a protective posture, the short-eared owl will show off its very small tufts which are normally hidden.

And its open spaces and meadows you can find the short-eared owl. With that said, the medium-sized short-eared owl has a length of 34–43 cm (13–17 in) and a weight of 20–475 g. (7.3–16.8 oz).

Its wide eyes, massive head, short neck, and broad wings are all characteristics. Short, robust, hooked, and black, its bill is also distinctive.

The bird’s tail and wings are barred, and its plumage is tawny to brown while significant striations can be seen on the upper breast. And due to its uneven wingbeats, its flying is characterized as floppy.

You can even describe the short-eared owl’s flight as “moth or bat-like.” And 85 to 110 cm is the range of wingspans (33 to 43 in). In comparison to males, females are slightly bigger.

Except for Antarctica and Australia, the short-eared owl has one of the broadest distributions of any bird. Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and the Galápagos Islands are all breeding grounds for A. flammeus.

It moves from the northern portions of its range south throughout the winter, showing some signs of migration. And It is known for the short-eared owl to go to regions with higher rodent populations. However, In years with low vole numbers, it will also roam in search of better food sources.

5. Long-Eared Owl

The medium-sized long-eared owl has a wide breeding range and is also referred to as the northern long-eared owl or, more colloquially, as the lesser horned owl or cat owl.

A specific species of eared owl goes by the genus name Asio, and otus is another term for a little-eared owl. Together with North America, the species breeds in numerous locations in Europe and the Palearctic.

This species belongs to the wider family Strigidae which includes the majority of the extant owl species including owls known as typical owls (while the other taxonomic family of owls is the barn owls or Tytonidae).

Although they prefer to sleep and nest in deep stands of wood, this owl exhibits a preference for semi-open areas, particularly forest edges, and prefers to hunt across a wide terrain.

The long-eared owl is a somewhat specialized predator that almost exclusively consumes small rodents, particularly voles, which make up the majority of their diet.

This species may adapt to a variety of prey, including birds and insects, and in specific situations, such as population cycles of their usual food, desert or insular regional environments, or urbanization.

However, not all owl species construct their nests. The long-eared owl typically uses nests that other animals have made with a preference in many places for corvid-built nests.

Predation risks and prey populations have a significant impact on this species’ breeding success. Also, Long-eared owls are not particularly sedentary or territorial, unlike many other owl species.

Owing to their tendency to appear erratically, owls are sometimes referred to as “nomadic,” even though they seem to generally use the same migratory routes and wintering sites each year.

Their preference for recurring roosts that are shared by several long-eared owls at once is another fairly distinctive trait of this species.

In fact, the IUCN rates the long-eared owl as one of the most widespread and numerous owl species in the world as the least concern is due to its enormous range and population size. However, this owl has experienced significant reductions in various regions of its range.

6. Boreal Owl

The boreal owl, also known as the Tengmalm’s owl, belongs to the Strigidae family of “true owls.” And In North America, it is referred to as the boreal owl, while in Europe, it is called Tengmalm’s owl or often called Richardson’s owl after Sir John Richardson.

The boreal owl is rarely observed by humans due to its shyness, evasive response to human activity, nocturnal habits, and chosen remote taiga woodland environment.

READ: What Do You Call A Group Of Owls?

Also, the boreal owl measures 22–27 cm (8.7–10.6 in) in length and 50–62 cm in wingspan (20–24 in). And a female bird weighs 131–179 g (4.6 — 6.3 oz) as opposed to a male bird’s average weight of 107 g (3.8 oz).

With that said, the boreal owl breeds in dense coniferous forests in northern North America, the Palearctic, and mountain ranges like the Alps and Rockies.

This species doesn’t typically migrate, but during some autumns, sizable numbers do. Although this is somewhat owing to the difficulties in spotting this nocturnal owl outside of the mating season when it is silent, it is rarely found too far south of its breeding area.

7. Northern Saw-Whet Owl

The northern saw-whet owl is one of several tiny owl species in the Strigidae family and its native to North America. Some of the smallest owl species in North America are saw-whet owls which belong to the genus Aegolius.

These can be found in thickets at eye level, but they can also be found up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) in the air. Plus, Saw-whets are often vulnerable to attack by bigger raptors.

Also, the northern saw-whet owl migrates without following any particular pattern. In fact, the Rev. John Henry Keen, a missionary who served in Canada in 1896 is credited with providing the first scientific description of one of this owl’s subspecies.

With that said, adults have a length of 17–22 cm (6.–8.7 in) and a wingspan of 42–56 cm (16.–22 in). They are among the smallest owls in North America, weighing between 54 and 151 g (1.9 and 5.3 oz), on average around 80 g (2.8 oz).

And they resemble the American robin in size. Northern Saw-Whet Owls were regularly sexed by size dimorphism where females are larger than males because they do not express sexual dimorphism through their plumage.

Males weigh 75 g on average, and females weigh 100 g. With that said, Porphyrin pigments are found in the flight feathers of northern saw-whet owls, and the feathers on the ventral side of the wing will flash neon pink when exposed to UV radiation.

And in terms of habitat, Coniferous forests, occasionally mixed or deciduous woods make up their habitat in North America.

The majority of birds winter in mixed or deciduous forests but lay their eggs in northern coniferous-type forests. Due to the availability of prey there, they also choose riparian environments.

They occupy abandoned nests built by other tiny raptors as well as tree cavities. Some people choose to live there permanently, while others can migrate south for the winter or descend from higher heights.

However, the majority of North America south of the boreal forest is included in their range, as well as the central mountains of Mexico, southern Canada, southeast and southcentral Alaska, and the southernmost United States.

8. Snowy Owl

A massive white owl belonging to the true owl family is the snowy owl which is also referred to as the polar owl, the white owl, and the Arctic owl.

Native to the Arctic areas of North America and the Palearctic, snowy owls primarily breed on the tundra. It has some special adaptations to its environment and way of life that set it apart from other surviving owls.

It is the only owl species with primarily white plumage and one of the biggest. In general, males tend to be pure white than females who typically have larger flecks of dark brown.

Male snowy owls have dark markings as juveniles, which may make them look like females until they reach adulthood when they usually turn whiter.

With that said, The snowy owl is often active during the day, especially in the summer, unlike the majority of owls who sleep during the day and hunt at night. Though the snowy owl hunts both specifically and broadly.

The availability of tundra-dwelling lemmings strongly influences its breeding efforts and overall population, but during non-breeding seasons and sporadically during breeding, the snowy owl can adapt to virtually any available prey most of the other small mammals and northerly water birds as well as occasionally carrion.

And often, snowy owls build their nests on a little rise in the tundra. The snowy owl typically lays between 5 and 11 eggs in a relatively big clutch with the timing of egg laying and hatching being greatly delayed.

Despite the brief Arctic summer, young take a long time to develop, and independence is sought in the fall. The snowy owl is a wandering bird that rarely breeds in the same places or with the same partners every year, and if the prey is few, it regularly does not breed at all.

However, Snowy owls are primarily migratory birds that can travel practically anywhere near the Arctic, occasionally exploding in great numbers in the south.

The status of the snowy owl was not well understood historically because of the difficulty of surveying such an erratic bird. Nonetheless, Recent studies indicate that the species is rapidly disappearing.

9. Great Horned Owl

The big owl that is endemic to the Americas is called the great horned owl, sometimes called the tiger owl or the hoot owl. It is the most extensively distributed true owl in the Americas and an incredibly adaptable species with a large range.

Although it freely hunts any animal it can overcome including rodents and other small mammals, larger mid-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, and its main diet consists of rabbits and hares, rats and mice, and voles.

In addition, one of the earliest nesting birds in North America is the great horned owl which regularly lays eggs many weeks or even months before other raptors.

The great horned owl typically has camouflage-enhancing coloring. The species’ underparts are typically pale with some brown horizontal barring; the top parts and upper wings are often a mottled brown with frequent, intricate markings that are darker.

Along the flanks, all subspecies have some degree of dark barring, and the majority of the great horned owl’s camouflage pattern or color. On the throat, there is a white patch of varying size.

Even when the birds are not exhibiting, the white throat may persist as a streak running down the center of the breast which is where very pale individuals might extend at the belly into a big white region.

The northern and western Mackenzie Mountains, Keewatin, Ontario, northern Manitoba, Fort Chimo in Ungava, Okak, Newfoundland and Labrador, Anticosti Island, and Prince Edward Island are all within the great horned owl’s breeding range in North America.

Before giving way to the Magellanic horned owl which then ranges to Tierra del Fuego the southern tip of the continent, they are found in most of North America and very sparsely in Central America.

They then move south into South America to upland regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. The great horned owl is typical of owls and most other birds of prey in most aspects of behavior.

According to Paul L. Errington, he believed owls were “basically low intellect” birds that could only hunt when partially wild and instinctually driven by hunger to hunt whatever they first met.

This belief came from his experience of raising young owls in captivity. He demonstrated that confined birds who were fed meat strips from the time they were eggs could not hunt or even simulate hunting.

Instead, William J. Baerg compared the behavior of his great horned owls bred in captivity to that of parrots, renowned intelligent birds that are less often playful because “it understands its keeper and usually accepts anything he chooses to do with a good attitude.”

10. Barred Owl

The barred owl often referred to as the northern barred owl, the striped owl, or more colloquially as the hoot owl is a big species of owl found in North America.

They are classified as a member of the Strigidae family which includes the true owls, and their genus name, Strix, derives from Linnaean taxonomy.

Although they are mostly native to eastern North America, barred owls have spread to the west coast of the continent where they are now regarded as invasive.

They may adapt to different gradients of open woodlands, but mature forests are their preferred environment. Although this species is an opportunistic predator and is known to prey upon other small vertebrates including birds, reptiles, and amphibians as well, their primary diet consists of small mammals.

Barred owls have dark underbelly stripes and are often brown to gray. Barred owls raise relatively small broods frequently in tree hollows or snags in forested regions, but they also occasionally use other nesting locations as is normal for true owls.

The territory of the closely related and endangered spotted owl is being encroached upon by the barred owl due to its westward migration.

However, I learned that there is evidence that the invasion of barred species is merely making the various dangers it poses worse. Also, In response, scientists have suggested culling operations to lessen the barred owl’s harmful impact on the spotted owl species.

The majority of eastern North America as well as much of southern Canada are home to the barred owl. They are also located as far northeast as the western two-thirds of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Sept-Îles, as well as in a large portion of Quebec up to Lake Mistassini and Ontario up to Moosonee.

While not yet proven to breed in the province, the barred owl has been seen as far north as central Labrador. From northernmost Maine down through New England, the Mid-Atlantic states much of the Midwest, the Southeast United States, and all of Florida, the barred owl can be found throughout the entire eastern United States.

Like the majority of owls, the barred owl is mostly adapted to nocturnality. Juvenile barred owls were seen to sleep on average 28% of each hour between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm.

In Minnesota, it was discovered that the peak hours were shortly after dusk and before sunrise. However, they are not completely nocturnal like many owls, and among the 19 common owl species in North America, they are only about sixth in terms of how often they are active during the day.

This is particularly true in situations where a rival or a human impersonator is making barred owl calls as well as when they are hunting.

Key Points

Owls species in Michigan:

• Barn owl
• Great grey owl
• Eastern screech owl
• Short-eared owl
• Long-eared owl
• Boreal Owl
• Northern saw-whet owl
• Snowy Owl
• Great Horned Owl
• Barred Owl