Owls in Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the United States and one of the coldest. 13 owls have been recorded here at one point or another, 11 of which are native. While many owls fail to adapt to Alaska’s wintry weather, the state’s climate is great for certain species, like the Snowy Owl and the Boreal Owl, which thrive in wintry conditions.

List of Owls in Alaska

Name with Sounds	Average Size	Status	Where Do They Live in the State?	Mating Season
Small Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Length: 7 – 8 inches Wingspan: 17-22 inches	Native	Rare in Alaska, occasionally spotted in Anchorage, Seward, Ketchikan, etc.	Spring (March to April)
Oriental Scops Owl	Length: 6.7 – 8.2 inches Wingspan: 4.7-6.2 inches	Accidental	Extremely rare, most sightings are of vagrants	Late winter to early summer (February to May)
Western Screech Owl	Length: 8.7 inches Wingspan: 22 inches	Native	Resides in southeast Alaska, can be spotted in the coniferous forests there	Late winter to early summer (February to May)
Northern Pygmy Owl	Length: 5.9–6.7 inches Wingspan: 12 inches	Native	Rarely seen in southeast Alaska, staying hidden inside tree cavities	Spring to early summer (Late April to June)
Boreal Owl	Length: 8.7–10.6 inches Wingspan: 20–24 inches	Native	Common but rarely seen. Found in Prince William Sound, upper Kobuk Valley, Kodiak Island, and King Salmon	Spring to summer (March to July)
Large Owls
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Throughout central and southern Alaska, with a preference for forested habitats	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Northern Hawk-owl	Length: 14.2-17.6 inches Wingspan: 18 inches	Native	Throughout central and southern Alaska,Including the Kodiak archipelago	Late winter to early summer (mid-February to May)
Barred Owl	Length: 16-24 inches Wingspan: 16-24 inches	Native	Forests of southeast Alaska	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Snowy Owl	Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 49-58 inches	Native	Northern Alaska, especially over open tundra	Varies by region and based on prey availability (any time between May and September)
Long-eared Owl	Length: 13-16 inches Wingspan: 24-40 inches	Native	Rarely seen, lives in conifers and groves of similar trees	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Throughout Alaska, though sightings are uncommon, and it undertakes a migration south during the winter months	Varies, often in early spring (March to September)
Great Gray Owl	Length: 24-33 inches Wingspan: 4-5 feet	Native	Very common in central Alaska, with a preference for forest edges. However, they have been spotted in abandoned barns and old bogs. It is more common in certain places like the Brooks Range	Spring to early summer (March to May)
Northern Boobook	Length: 11-13 inches Wingspan: 24-28 inches	Accidental	There are only two recorded instances of this owl in Alaska – on St. Paul Island in 2007 and on Kiska Island in 2008	Late winter to mid-spring (January to April)

Where Can You See Owls in Alaska

The coastal town of Nome is a great place to see the Snowy Owl, especially during the winter when it is more common. For enthusiasts less eager to brave the cold, Denali National Park and Preserve is home to several owl species, like the Great Horned Owl, the Northern Hawk-owl, and the Boreal Owl, which are more active in spring and summer.

There’s also Tongass National Forest – the largest forest in the United States – where the Great Horned Owls living there take on a darker coloration to adapt to their surroundings.