Owls are seen as mysterious, elusive hunters of the night, and in many ways, they are! Owls are only active in the early morning, late evening, and during the night, as well as being quiet, often shy birds. Ecologically, they may serve the same purpose as hawks to keep the populations of their prey down, but whereas hawks are easily seen on power lines along roadways, few are so lucky to see an owl out in the wild. Yet owls are fascinating creatures! They can certainly be disturbing to some, and appearing only at night doesn’t help with that, but when seen for what they are, they’re both gorgeous and silly birds.
So, what kind of owls do we have in Walkersville? If by some chance you go owl searching* or see a glimpse of one and want to identify it, how do you know where to start? There’s dozens of owl species out there– thirty-seven in North America alone!– but don’t be discouraged. We’re lucky in Maryland to have four fairly distinct types of owls, and once you familiarize yourself with them, you’ll be a local owl pro.
*Note: Killing and/or shooting any owl, hawk, eagle, or vulture is illegal under federal law! Do not hunt owls for any purpose other than to look at them!
Barn Owls
Barn owls are objectively one of the most recognizable and well known owls, and rightfully so! Their stark white faces and dark eyes can be unsettling, but they’re wonders of evolution. Their disc shaped heads funnel sound to their ears, and their small bodies paired with large wings give them their talent for silent flight.
These birds prefer open fields and countryside, and receive their name for their tendency to nest in the barn lofts of any farm they find themselves comfortable in. Unlike the stereotypical owl, however, barn owls make more hissing and screeching sounds than hoots.
Eastern Screech Owls
This owl is the smallest species to live in Maryland, coming in both red and grey varieties. Like a great horned owl, they have ear tufts made of feathers, but they are significantly smaller and help aid in camouflage. Screech owls live in wooded areas close to open fields, nesting in dead tree cavities or nest boxes.
Unlike what their name suggests, they make sounds more similar to the whinnying of a horse, and it’s very charming. These owls are fairly common in suburban areas, and can be seen resting in the opening of their home on sunny days, so keep an eye out!
Barred Owls
Thirdly are a lesser known but decently common species; their preference for forested rivers making Walkersville a less preferable home. Still, they are abundant throughout Maryland, and are decently sized-birds too. Their most notable trait is their large, dark eyes, and their “barred” patterns make them very hard to spot among the trees.
These owls hoots follow the “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” line, but in case you do hear a jumble of strange sounds out in the woods, It may be easier to count the number of hoots instead of trying to match the words.
Great Horned Owls
Last, but certainly not least, the owl of all owls! Great horned owls are likely what you think of when you even see the word “owl”, even if their large yellow eyes and huge size make them fairly unique. But as majestic and wise as they may seem, great horned owls actually aren’t that smart, and are more likely to puff up and try to scare away a dog toy than give any kind of advice.
Still, these birds are beautiful! A preference for dense woods also makes them a less common visitor to Walkersville, but definitely not impossible. These birds can and will hunt things larger than them, and have been known to kill ducks, rabbits, crows, and even other owls. They may be shy to humans, but if you hear the classic “Hoot-hoot” at night, you’re likely in the presence of one!
Other species such as the short eared, saw-whet, and snowy owl have/are known to migrate through wider Maryland, but for Walkersville, these four species are the ones to look out for.
If you want to attract owls to your backyard, think about putting up nesting boxes large enough to house them! You’ll likely get a host of other visitors too, and if you don’t live in a more rural area, try and go bird watching. It’s amazing the things you can find if you have the passion and effort to do so. People sometimes forget the things that live right down the block, and you’d be surprised what simply watching those things can do for you.
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