Eastern Screech Owl
Photo Courtesy of Tom Darden

The Eastern Screech-Owl lives in wooded areas adjacent to open fields and nests in tree cavities or nest boxes. Adults average around 8 to 9 inches tall and are found in two color morphs - a gray phase and a reddish-brown phase. They have two tufts of feathers called “ear tufts,” which are not actually ears but feathers used to camouflage themselves within tree foliage. Though their name implies that they make a screeching sound, their call is more comparable to the “whinny” of a horse. They hunt at night and eat small rodents, flying insects, and small birds. Year-round residents of Maryland, they are fairly common in suburban areas. Screech Owl Nest Box Plan

The Great Horned Owl is found in many habitats but prefers dense woodlots bordering open fields. The largest of the tufted owls, they have large yellow eyes, a white throat patch, and are reddish brown, gray, or black and white in color. They make the familiar “Hoo Hoo” call associated with owls. Great Horned owls feed on waterfowl, rabbits, squirrels, marsh birds, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians. They nest in tree cavities, nest boxes, and cliff ledges, as well as the old nests of crows, squirrel, and hawks. Great Horned owls live in Maryland year round. Great Horned Owl Nest Structure

Barred Owls are found along rivers in low-lying woods. This large owl has no ear tufts and has dark brown eyes. The Barred Owl can be recognized by the “barred” feather pattern running horizontally across its chest and down its belly. Barred owls have a very distinctive call that sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” Feeding mainly on meadow voles, they may prey upon birds, frogs, and crayfish. They seem to be attracted to campfires and bright lights, where they are often seen foraging for large insects. Barred owls nest in cavities and use abandoned crow, squirrel, and hawk nests. It is thought that Barred owls do not migrate. Barred Owl Nest Box Plan

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Photo Courtesy of John White

The Northern Saw-whet Owl lives in low, moist coniferous or mixed forests, wooded swamps or evergreen thickets. They are small owls averaging only 7 inches as adults. Saw-whet owls are brown with a reddish facial disc and underside. They have yellow eyes and lack “ear tufts.” The sound of their call resembles the “whetting” or sharpening of a saw. Saw-whet owls feed on small rodents, including deer mice, shrews, and voles, but may also eat insects. They nest in natural cavities and those excavated by woodpeckers, but will also accept nest boxes. Northern Saw-whet Owls are highly migratory and found only in western Maryland during winter.

Barn Owls are often found in rural areas near farmland and open countryside. They usually reside in the lofts of abandoned barns or silos but will also use nest boxes. Barn owls have golden-buff markings on their wings and back, and a white chest that may be mottled with few black spots. Their heart-shaped face makes them easy to identify. Barn owls make a variety of sounds including a hiss and a rasping screech that has been mistakenly identified as the terrifying screams of a woman. They primarily eat meadow voles and other rodents that are commonly found in farm fields. They breed between April and early May and produce four to six young per year. Barn owls are found throughout Maryland.  

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Barn Owls in Maryland

Other owls that occasionally pass through the state are the short-eared owl, long-eared owl, and the snowy owl.