In the deep quiet of a California night, a silent wing beat passes overhead.
The state hosts a remarkable variety of owls, from the ubiquitous Great Horned Owl to the elusive Flammulated Owl, each playing their part in the nocturnal ecosystem.
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
Those deep, resonant "hoo-hoo-HOO" calls echoing through neighborhoods and parks often come from Great Horned Owls, California's most commonly encountered owl species.
At dusk, watch for their distinctive silhouette atop telephone poles or tall trees - those prominent ear tufts make them unmistakable.
They're year-round residents, but their hooting reaches a fever pitch in late winter when breeding season begins. March tends to be their most active month when pairs call back and forth to each other across urban and wild spaces alike.
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Length
33-39cm
Wingspan
80-95cm
Weight
430-620g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
With their ghostly white heart-shaped faces, Barn Owls bring a touch of mystery to California's agricultural areas. These widespread residents reach their peak activity in September when young owls are learning to hunt.
Listen for their distinctive harsh screech - it sounds nothing like the typical "hoot" most people expect from an owl.
On quiet nights, you might spot them quartering low over fields in the Central Valley or coastal agricultural areas, their pale forms clearly visible in even minimal moonlight.
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Length
19-25cm
Wingspan
51-61cm
Weight
120-250g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
Unlike their tree-dwelling cousins, these small, long-legged owls make their homes in ground squirrel burrows and artificial burrow systems.
Most active during daylight hours - especially in winter months - they can often be spotted standing sentinel near their burrow entrances in grasslands and open areas, particularly in the Imperial Valley and parts of the Central Valley.
Watch for their curious habit of bobbing up and down when alarmed, as if doing small courtesies to passing visitors.
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
These compact owls reach their peak activity in July, though they're present year-round in wooded areas and even suburban neighborhoods.
Despite their name, they don't actually screech - their call is more of a series of accelerating whistled notes, often described as a "bouncing ball" sound.
At dusk, they can sometimes be spotted peering out from tree cavities or nest boxes, their small size and gray coloring making them easy to overlook.
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
Breaking the nocturnal rule, these tiny hunters are often active during daylight hours, especially in April. They are typically found throughout the state's coniferous forests, from the Coast Range to the Sierra Nevada.
Small songbirds often give away their presence by mobbing them - if you notice a commotion of angry chickadees and juncos in the treetops, look for a small, round-headed owl sitting calmly at the center of the chaos.
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
These ground-nesters show a strong preference for winter visits to California, with November bringing peak numbers.
In the late afternoon light, they can be seen coursing low over coastal marshes and Central Valley grasslands with distinctively floppy, moth-like wingbeats.
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
Though present for much of the year, these tiny owls are most frequently encountered during March in the dense coniferous forests of the Sierra Nevada and North Coast ranges.
Their repetitive "toot-toot-toot" calls pierce the night, though spotting one requires patience and sharp eyes - they're hardly larger than a robin.
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Length
35-40cm
Wingspan
90-100cm
Weight
220-435g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
These winter and spring visitors peak in February, favoring dense stands of trees in riparian areas and forest edges across the state. Their slender profile and long ear tufts give them an almost cartoonish appearance.
They're masters of camouflage, pressing their bodies against tree trunks and stretching tall to become nearly invisible among the branches.
Rare Owls to look out for in California
Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis
Length
41-48cm
Wingspan
107-114cm
Weight
518-760g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
Deep in the old-growth forests of the North Coast and Sierra Nevada, usually during warm summer nights around June, lucky observers might encounter the Spotted Owl.
These medium-sized owls lack ear tufts, sporting instead a round head dotted with white spots that seem to float in the darkness.
Their soft, rhythmic hooting carries through the dense forest canopy, though actually spotting one requires extraordinary patience and often multiple nights of searching.
Flammulated Owl
Psiloscops flammeolus
Length
15-17cm
Wingspan
36-42cm
Weight
45-63g
Regional Rarity Score
Ranges from 0 (common) to 100 (extremely rare) in this region
Among California's smallest owls, the Flammulated Owl makes brief but reliable appearances during late spring and early summer, peaking in June.
These tiny, dark-eyed owls can be detected by their unusually low-pitched hooting in the higher elevation pine forests of the Sierra Nevada and southern mountain ranges.
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
Though relatively common in other parts of North America, Barred Owls remain an unusual sight in California, with peak activity in April.
Their distinctive "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all" call stands out among the more typical owl sounds in the state.
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 most elusive of California's owls, the Great Gray appears like a phantom in mountain meadows of the Sierra Nevada, primarily during February. Standing as tall as a small child, with a face bigger than a dinner plate, these impressive owls are genuine rarities.
Their hunting behavior is spectacular when witnessed: they can plunge through the snow to catch prey they've detected by sound alone, though such sightings are exceptionally rare in California.
Finding Owls in California
From coastal marshes to mountain meadows, California's owls have adapted to every corner of the state's diverse landscape.
Each species tells its own story in the darkness - a flash of white wings over a Central Valley field, a deep hoot echoing through Sierra pine forests, or the silent shadow of great horned wings against a suburban streetlight.
Dawn or dusk, summer or winter, there's always an owl out there somewhere, hunting, calling, or simply watching with those unblinking eyes.
These mysterious birds connect us to the wild heart of California, whether we're standing in the deepest wilderness or in our own backyard.
Common Questions About California Owls
Are owls protected in California?
All owl species in California are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Some species, like the Spotted Owl, have additional protections under state and federal laws.
It's illegal to harass, capture, or keep owls without proper permits, and their nests are protected even when not in active use.
What is the most common owl in California?
The Great Horned Owl is California's most frequently encountered owl species. Based on observational data, they're seen roughly four times more often than Barn Owls, the next most common species. These adaptable predators can be found year-round in nearly every habitat across the state, from urban parks to remote wilderness.
What time of year can you see owls in California?
While many California owls can be seen year-round, certain seasons offer better viewing opportunities:
Winter (December-February)
- Peak activity for Short-eared Owls and Long-eared Owls
- Great Horned Owls begin courtship and are particularly vocal
- Great Gray Owls are most active in mountain meadows
Spring (March-May)
- Northern Pygmy-Owls are especially active in April
- Northern Saw-whet Owls peak in March
- Many species are nesting and more vocal
Summer (June-August)
- Spotted Owls and Flammulated Owls are most active
- Western Screech-Owls peak in July
- Young owls begin dispersing
Fall (September-November)
- Barn Owls reach peak activity in September
- Short-eared Owls return to winter grounds
- Migration brings increased owl movement and activity