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.
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.