“The Northern Spotted Owl is an indicator species for Pacific Northwest old-growth forest; in other words, the state of this bird represents the state of these forests. In this role, it has become an icon of efforts to preserve old-growth forests in the region” (Bannick).

The Barred Owl (BARR, due to conflict with Barn Owl being BAOW) is about 21” long with a wingspan of 42” and a weight of 1.6 lb. (720 g). This compares with 17.5”, 40” WS and 1.3 lb. for its cousin, the Spotted Owl.

The Short-eared Owl is an open country, ground-nesting species and one of the world’s most widely distributed owls. One of the ten subspecies worldwide is Pueo (Pu-a’-o), the Hawaiian Short-eared Owl A. f. sandwichensis.

 Now is the time of year to keep your ears perked up for the hoo-hoo-HOO-hooo-hoo Good for you, me too call of the Great Horned Owl, probably the most widespread owl in North America which can be found in a variety of wooded sites.

The combination of the Barn Owl’s eerie screaming call, its ghostly white color, and its roosting in church belfries gave rise to many superstitions associated with it. In English folklore the Barn Owl had a sinister reputation and poets Robert Blair and William Wordsworth considered it a “bird of doom”.

The Northern Pygmy-Owl (NOPO) is about 6.75” long with a wingspan of 12” and weight is 2.5 oz (70g). The genus name, Glaucidium (glaw-SID-ih-um), is shared with the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and is Latin from the Greek glaux, diminutive of glaukidion, meaning a kind of owl, so-called from its glaring eyes.

The diminutive Burrowing Owl is one of our most endearing birds. It can look a bit comical as it peers over the rim of its burrow entrance bobbing and twisting its head. Cowboys have called it the “Howdy Owl” in response to this behavior.

This large white owl is 20-23 inches (the size of a Great Horned Owl) and is merely a winter visitor here.  Its four letter code is SNOW.  It has a rounded head and yellow eyes.