It’s the 18th largest state in the country with an area of 71, 362 miles and within Washington state there are numerous types of climates. It’s also part of the only region in the United States where rainforests exist. There are many types of birds that live in here, including a large variety of common and rare owls. Keep on reading to learn all about the 15 species of owls in Washington State and the best tips for how to find them.
Species of Owls in Washington State
The 15 species of owls in Washington State are the Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Boreal Owl, Barn Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Western-Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Short-Eared Owl, Great Gray Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Spotted Owl, Snowy Owl, Burrowing Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and the Flammulated Owl.
Washington State is located in the northwestern corner of the United States, with the Canadian Province of British Columbia to it’s north and Oregon to it’s south.
The state is home a large variety of owls, including quite a few that aren’t found in a lot of other states in the country. Among the 15 species spotted here, 10 of them are found year round. Other species including, Flammulated Owls and Northern Hawk Owls are only found during certain times of the year.
1. Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Length: 7.1-8.3 in
Weight: 2.3-5.3 oz
Wingspan: 16.5-18.9 in
In the majority of Washington State, Northern Saw-whet Owls are found year-round — though there are some spots where only non-breeding populations reside. These owls tend to occupy dense coniferous forests and groves and can be pretty hard to locate due to their tiny size, camouflage-like coloration, and secretive nature.
It’s so good at perching motionless and avoiding attention that it’s frequently unnoticed in areas in which it occurs. Listen for it’s high-pitched “too-too-too” call to make finding it a little easier. During the breeding season males will repetitively make this call for hours — offering a good chance of spotting it.
If you live in Washington State, in an area where Northern Saw-whet Owls breed, consider putting up a nesting box for them. Not only will it provide a home for a breeding pair of owls, but it will also increase your chances of getting an up-close look at these tiny birds.
2. Boreal Owl
