Owls can liven up winter evenings in Missouri. And this is the best season to see and hear them. These three owls are commonly found in our state. Here's how you can tell them apart with fun facts, pics, and sounds.
Barred Owls
You'll find these in deep woods around rivers and swamps. They usually save their calls for the darker hours. They will respond to imitated calls. If you hear them, call back. They may even approach. Barred owls are hard to locate by sound since they have a ventroloquial voice.
Great Horned Owls
They are also called Hoot Owls. If you live in the city, you are most likely to see and hear these owls. Their call is a series of hoots similar to the barred owl. They will also respond if you imitate their call. Great horned owls help reduce rodent populations. They're also revered by many Native American tribes.
Eastern Screech-Owls
These tiny owls like towns, woods, and farms. Despite their name, their call is a softer, mournful sound. They often perch in cedars and pines and are active only at night. Like other owls, they have keen hearing and sharp eyes.
Discover more about Missouri owls in our Field Guide.
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