Owls in Florida

The Sunshine State of Florida has a diverse variety of habitats, including coastal plains, grasslands, forests, and wetlands. This has allowed numerous owls—about 17 of them, including both those native to the state and accidental arrivals—to thrive in the state. 

List of Owls in Florida

Name	Average Size	Status	Where Do They Live in the State?	Mating Season
Small Owls
Eastern Screech Owl	Length: 6-10 inches Wingspan: 18-24 inches	Native	Common throughout Florida; frequently found in urban and suburban areas, including cities like Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Burrowing Owl	Length: 9-11 inches Wingspan:  21-24 inches	Native	Common in Southern and Central Florida, especially in open fields; notable populations in Cape Coral and other parts of Southwest Florida	Late winter to early spring (February to August)
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl	Length: 6-7 inches Wingspan: 12-14 inches	Accidental	Rare, with occasional sightings, mainly in southern Florida	Potentially year-round, with peaks in spring
Flammulated Owl	Length: 6.5-7.5 inches Wingspan: 12-15 inches	Accidental	Rare, with no regular sightings reported	Late spring to early summer (May to June)
Western Screech Owl	Length: 8-10 inches Wingspan: 18-24 inches	Accidental	Very rare, with occasional sightings	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Elf Owl	Length: 4.9-5.9 inches Wingspan: 9-10 inches	Accidental	Extremely rare, with sightings likely linked to escaped captive birds or vagrants	Spring to early summer (March to June)
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Length: 7 – 8 inches Wingspan: 17-22 inches	Accidental	Rare, with occasional sightings, especially in Northern Florida	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Northern Pygmy Owl	Length: 6 – 7 inches Wingspan: 6.7-8.7 inches	Accidental	Extremely rare, with sporadic sightings in wooded habitats	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Large Owls
Barn Owl	Length: 12-16 inches  Wingspan: 42-43 inches	Native	Widespread throughout Florida, often found in rural areas, barns, and farmlands; notable populations in North Florida and the Panhandle	Year-round, with peaks in late winter and spring (March to June)
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Statewide distribution; adaptable to various habitats, including forests, urban areas, and suburbs	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Barred Owl	Length: 16-24 inches  Wingspan: 16-24 inches	Native	Common throughout Florida, especially in wooded habitats; notable populations in Central Florida and the Gulf Coast region	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Rarely seen, mainly in Central and South Florida during winter	Varies, often in early spring (March to June, peaking in April)
Snowy Owl	Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 49-58 inches	Accidental	Unusual sightings, typically in Northern Florida, during migration years or irruptive movements	Varies by region and based on prey availability (any time between May and September)
Spotted Owl	Length: 16-19 inches Wingspan: 18-21 inches	Accidental	No regular sightings	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Great Gray Owl	Length: 24-33 inches Wingspan: 38-43 inches	Accidental	Very rare and unexpected, with any sightings being significant	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Long-eared Owl	Length: 13-16 inches Wingspan: 24-40 inches	Accidental	Infrequent, with few confirmed sightings	Late winter to early spring (February to April)
Stygian Owl	Length: 15-18 inches Wingspan: N/A	Accidental	Rarely seen, with any Florida sightings being of notable interest	Varies widely, with limited information

Where Can You See Owls in Florida

As Cape Coral is home to Florida’s largest Burrowing Owl population, there are several places in the city to see them in the wild. The most notable of these is the Rotary Park Environmental Center, which holds an annual festival called the Burrowing Owl Festival. Other places to see the smallest owl in the state include Sirenia Vista Park, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve, and Jaycee Park. The Gulf Coast, especially at Point Reyes National Seashore, is a great place to see owls like the Great Horned Owl.