Discover 10 Types of Owls in Alabama (From Most Common to Rarest)

There are over 220 living owl species around the world, but only 10 have been recorded in Alabama. Read on for the complete list of types of owls in Alabama, and find out how they currently rank in rarity according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

1. Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Status in Alabama: Lowest Conservation Concern

Barred owls are familiar year-round residents across Alabama. They prefer old-growth forests but are adaptable to various other wooded habitats, including swamps. They have also adapted to living in smaller patches of woodland near human developments. The ADCNR notes that barred owls are also the owls most likely to be seen and heard during the day in the state.

2. Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)

Status in Alabama: Low Conservation Concern

Eastern screech owls are common year-round residents across Alabama. They reside both in forests and a variety of other wooded habitats, as well as lake shores. They also adapt well to suburban and even urban landscapes so long as good nesting trees are available!

3. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

Status in Alabama: Moderate Conservation Concern

Great horned owls are among the most common owls across North America. They are pretty common year-round residents in Alabama and are the largest resident owls in the state. They utilize a wide variety of habitats, preferring a combination of wooded areas for nesting and roosting and open areas for hunting. In Alabama, they are most commonly found in dense woodlands in the east and north, while preferring rocky canyon cliffs or earth-walled gulches in the west.

4. Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Status in Alabama: Moderate Conservation Concern

Barn owls are widespread across the United States, including in Alabama, where they are year-round residents across the state. However, the ADCNR also reports they have become uncommon to rare across all 67 counties. They are most common in agricultural lands and other open areas but adaptable to various different habitats.

5. Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

Status in Alabama: Moderate Conservation Concern

Northern saw-whet owls are migratory birds that overwinter in Alabama. The ADCNR reports they are uncommon in the Inland Coastal Plain and Tennessee Valley regions and locally rare in the Mountain region. Their preferred habitat in the state is dense evergreen thickets.

6. Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Status in Alabama: High Conservation Concern

Short-eared owls are migratory birds that overwinter in Alabama. The ADCNR reports they are uncommon in the Gulf Coast region and rare in the Tennessee Valley and Inland Coastal Plain regions. They prefer open terrain in all seasons, and as a diurnal species, they are also more likely to be spotted during the day.

7. Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus)

Status in Alabama: Occasional

Long-eared owls are migratory birds uncommon for fall and winter across Alabama. They prefer densely wooded habitats with access to open areas. In Alabama, they are most often spotted in conifer groves.

8. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Status in Alabama: Occasional

Burrowing owls are migratory birds that are uncommon visitors to Alabama. They are sometimes seen during migration and winter in open country and on beaches in the Gulf Coast region.

9. Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus)

Status in Alabama: Accidental

Flammulated owls are migratory birds that generally reside further west. They are considered an accidental species in Alabama, most recently spotted in October 2022.

10. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

Status in Alabama: Accidental

Snowy owls breed in the Arctic tundra but occasionally appear in the U.S. as part of irruptive migrations during the winter. However, it is incredibly rare for them to make it down as far south as Alabama. In fact, the last time one was recorded in the state was way back in 1975!

Summary of the 10 Types of Owls in Alabama (Most Common to Rarest)

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Harry Collins