Ontario’s diverse habitats make it a prime location for owl enthusiasts, especially senior birdwatchers who appreciate the nuances of nocturnal birding. This guide highlights 10 owl species commonly found across Ontario, detailing their unique characteristics, habitats, and calls to help seasoned birders enhance their owl-watching adventures.
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
The Great Horned Owl is one of Ontario’s most widespread and recognizable owls, known for its prominent ear tufts and deep hoots. It is a powerful predator capable of hunting a wide range of prey, including rabbits and skunks. Its adaptability to various environments, from forests to urban areas, makes it a rewarding species for seniors to spot throughout the year.
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Barred Owls are notable for their distinctive “Who cooks for you?” call, which often echoes in Ontario’s mixed wood forests. They prefer mature deciduous or mixed forests near water sources. Their large, round heads lack ear tufts, and their brown-and-white barred plumage offers excellent camouflage. Barred Owls are active mostly at night but can sometimes be seen at dusk.
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)
This small, elusive owl is common in southern Ontario, especially in wooded parks and suburban areas. Eastern Screech-Owls come in two color morphs—gray and reddish-brown—helping them blend into tree bark. Their trilling or whinnying calls can be heard year-round, making auditory identification a key skill for birdwatchers.
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
Although primarily an Arctic species, the Snowy Owl occasionally irrupts into Ontario during winter, especially in open fields and along shorelines like Lake Ontario’s waterfront. Males tend to be nearly pure white, while females have more dark barring. Snowy Owls hunt during the day, unlike most owls, providing excellent viewing opportunities for senior birders during winter months.
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
Long-eared Owls are secretive and prefer dense coniferous or mixed forests for roosting, often near open fields for hunting. Their slender bodies and long ear tufts distinguish them from other owls, but they are rarely seen due to their nocturnal habits and dense cover. Listening for their low, muffled hoots during spring breeding season is often the best way to locate them.
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Short-eared Owls are grassland specialists found in Ontario’s marshes, meadows, and open fields, especially during migration and winter. Unlike many owls, they hunt primarily during daylight hours, hovering like a kestrel while searching for small mammals. Their distinctive, buoyant flight and streaked underparts make them a favorite for birders visiting prairie and wetland areas.
Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa)
The Great Gray Owl is Ontario’s largest owl by length, inhabiting boreal forests in the northern parts of the province. It has a striking facial disk with concentric rings and yellow eyes, and lacks ear tufts. Due to its preference for remote, dense forest, sightings are rare and highly prized among senior birdwatchers willing to travel north in winter.
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
This diminutive owl is one of Ontario’s smallest, with a distinctive high-pitched tooting call. Northern Saw-whet Owls inhabit dense coniferous or mixed woods and are primarily nocturnal. Their secretive nature means they’re often detected by sound rather than sight, making auditory identification skills valuable for experienced birders.
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
Once found in southwestern Ontario, Burrowing Owls are now extremely rare or locally extirpated due to habitat loss. These small, ground-dwelling owls favor open grasslands and use burrows made by mammals. While officially listed as endangered in Ontario, conservation efforts continue, and any confirmed sightings are significant for birdwatchers.
Long-tailed Owl (Strix longicauda) – Note: Not found in Ontario
This species is not present in Ontario but is sometimes confused with the Barred Owl due to similar facial features. Including it here as a reminder to focus on species confirmed within Ontario’s range helps avoid misidentification. For Ontario birders, concentrating on native species ensures accurate records and a better birding experience.
How to Choose
When deciding which Ontario owls to focus on, consider habitat accessibility, seasonality, and your preferred birding methods (visual vs. auditory). Some owls like the Great Horned and Barred Owls are easier to find year-round and in accessible locations, ideal for casual evening walks. Others, such as the Great Gray Owl or Long-eared Owl, require travel to remote areas and patience for nocturnal calls. Seniors may prioritize species with distinctive calls and daytime activity like the Snowy or Short-eared Owl to maximize comfort and sighting chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the best time to hear owl calls in Ontario?
Early spring and late fall are prime times for owl vocalizations during breeding and pre-migration periods, especially at dusk and dawn.
Q: Are Ontario owls active during the day?
Most owls are nocturnal, but exceptions like the Snowy and Short-eared Owls frequently hunt in daylight, improving viewing opportunities.
Q: Can I attract owls to my backyard?
Providing natural habitat like mature trees and avoiding pesticides helps, but attracting owls also depends on local prey availability and minimal disturbance.
Q: What equipment is recommended for owl watching?
Binoculars with good low-light performance and a quality audio recorder or app for identifying calls are invaluable for senior birdwatchers.
Q: Are owl populations in Ontario stable?
Some species like the Great Horned Owl remain stable, but others such as the Burrowing Owl face serious declines due to habitat loss and require conservation attention.
Final Thoughts
Ontario offers a rich and rewarding owl-watching experience for senior birdwatchers, with species varying widely in appearance, behavior, and habitat. Understanding each owl’s unique traits and seasonal patterns enhances the chances of successful sightings and deepens appreciation for these elusive birds. Equipped with patience, good hearing, and knowledge from this guide, seniors can enjoy many memorable encounters with Ontario’s owls for years to come.
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