In Alaska's vast wilderness, owls are more than just nocturnal hunters - they're master survivors in one of North America's most challenging environments.
The interplay of endless summer days and winter darkness shapes their behavior in fascinating ways.
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Length
46-63cm
Wingspan
91-153cm
Weight
910-2500g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Great Horned Owl dominates Alaska's forests from the southeastern panhandle all the way to the northern boreal forests. You might spot their massive silhouette against the twilight sky near forest edges.
During winter nights, their deep "hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo" echoes through the spruce forests.
These powerful predators have adapted to Alaska's harsh winters by developing exceptionally thick plumage - even their legs and feet are covered in dense feathers.
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Length
34-43cm
Wingspan
85-110cm
Weight
206-475g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Short-eared Owl breaks the nocturnal stereotype completely. These ground-nesters thrive across Alaska's coastal plains and interior valleys, particularly in areas where long grasses and sedges dominate.
Their distinctive moth-like flight pattern makes them easy to recognize - watch for them quartering back and forth across open areas, suddenly dropping down when they spot movement in the vegetation below.
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Length
52-71cm
Wingspan
126-145cm
Weight
1.6-2.95kg
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
Snowy Owls bring their own arctic drama along Alaska's northern and western coastlines. During winter, they often venture south to the Aleutian Islands and even the Kenai Peninsula.
These magnificent white owls can be spotted sitting motionless on slight rises in the tundra, their golden eyes constantly scanning for prey.
Unlike most owls, they're well-adapted to hunting in full daylight, a necessary skill in a land of summer midnight sun.
Northern Hawk-owl
Surnia ulula
Length
36-43cm
Wingspan
69-84cm
Weight
220-350g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Northern Hawk Owl defies typical owl behavior altogether. Common across the interior boreal forests and along the southern coastal regions, these distinctive owls are primarily active during daylight hours.
Look for them perched prominently atop tall spruce trees, scanning the ground below with their piercing yellow eyes.
During spring, their rapid "ki-ki-ki" calls announce their presence across the taiga.
Boreal Owl
Aegolius funereus
Length
21-28cm
Wingspan
50-62cm
Weight
90-194g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Boreal Owl, though present year-round in Alaska's interior forests, requires patience to spot. Listen for their distinctive "pop-pop-pop" calls during late winter nights when breeding season begins.
They prefer dense black spruce forests, particularly in areas where mature trees provide both hunting perches and nesting cavities.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Length
17-21cm
Wingspan
42-56cm
Weight
65-125g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Northern Saw-whet Owl might be small, but its presence in Alaska's coastal rainforests and southern interior is well-established.
During spring nights, their repetitive "toot-toot-toot" calls echo through the woods.
These tiny predators specialize in hunting deer, mice, and small birds, often near stands of mature spruce trees where the understory remains relatively open.
Great Grey Owl
Strix nebulosa
Length
61-84cm
Wingspan
137-152cm
Weight
790-1454g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The rare Great Gray Owl makes occasional appearances in Alaska's interior, particularly in winter and early spring.
These impressive birds - the longest owls in North America - can sometimes be spotted hunting along forest edges and meadows near the Alaska Range.
Their huge facial disks act like satellite dishes, allowing them to hear prey moving under nearly a foot of snow.
Northern Pygmy-owl
Glaucidium gnoma
Length
15-17cm
Wingspan
38-43cm
Weight
50-73g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Northern Pygmy-owl, active primarily during daylight hours, proves that fierce predators come in small packages.
Most commonly encountered in Southeast Alaska's hemlock-spruce forests, watch for small birds mobbing these tiny hunters - their presence is often given away by the alarm calls of chickadees and nuthatches.
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Length
43-50cm
Wingspan
99-110cm
Weight
470-1050g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Barred Owl, while uncommon in Alaska, maintains a steady presence in the southeastern panhandle's temperate rainforests.
Their distinctive "who cooks for you?" call carries through stands of old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock, especially on calm winter nights.
Western Screech-owl
Megascops kennicottii
Length
19-25cm
Wingspan
54-61cm
Weight
120-305g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
The Western Screech-owl, despite its small size, can be heard during Alaska's winter nights, particularly in the southern coastal regions from Kodiak Island to the Inside Passage.
Their series of accelerating whistles is a distinctive sound in the darkness, though spotting one requires careful observation of small cavities in older trees.
From the towering spruce forests of the interior to the windswept coastal plains, Alaska's owls have mastered survival in one of Earth's most demanding environments.
Through the changing seasons, they remain constant guardians of the northern wilderness, their calls and silent flights woven into the very fabric of Alaska's wild spaces.
Whether hunting under the midnight sun or through the polar night, these magnificent predators embody the resilience and diversity of life in the Last Frontier.
Common Questions About Alaska Owls
Are owls protected in Alaska?
All owl species in Alaska are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This federal protection makes it illegal to hunt, capture, kill, or harass owls, or to collect their feathers, eggs, or nests.
Special permits may be required for scientific research, educational purposes, or Native Alaskan traditional practices. If you find an injured owl, only licensed wildlife rehabilitators can legally care for it.
What is the most common owl in Alaska?
The Short-eared Owl is the most frequently encountered owl in Alaska, followed by the Great Horned Owl.
Both species are year-round residents, though the Short-eared Owl shows higher overall observation numbers. The Great Horned Owl tends to be more consistently visible throughout the year due to its adaptability to various habitats.
When can you see owls in Alaska?
- Year-round residents:
- Great Horned Owl (peak in March)
- Short-eared Owl (peak in November)
- Northern Hawk Owl (peak in March)
- Winter & Spring visitors:
- Barred Owl (January-February, peak in January)
- Western Screech-Owl (October-March, peak in March)
- Great Gray Owl (December-April, peak in January)
- Boreal Owl (December-June, peak in March)
- Multi-season visitors:
- Snowy Owl (May-November, peak in June)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl (September-May, peak in March)
- Northern Pygmy-Owl (September-March, peak in November)
This seasonal pattern reflects both the natural behavior of these owls and their adaptation to Alaska's unique daylight cycles and climate conditions.