Owls in Arizona

There are 13 owl species native to Arizona. The state has a unique climate, with temperate forests with pine and spruce trees in the northern part and vast deserts in the southern region. This means that Arizona is home to an owl like the Northern Saw-whet Owl, which prefers elevated regions, and the Elf Owl, which nests inside hollows it makes in cacti.

List of Owls in Arizona

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	While rarely seen, it is fairly common in Arizona. Prefers high elevations of about 5000 feet in the central and northern parts of the state	Spring (March to April)
Western Screech Owl	Length: 8.7 inches Wingspan: 22 inches	Native	Mountain ranges of the southern part of Arizona	Late winter to early summer (February to May)
Northern Pygmy Owl	Length: 5.9–6.7 inches Wingspan: 12 inches	Native	Central Arizona, including the Madera Canyon	Spring to early summer (Late April to June)
Flammulated Owl	Length: 6.5-7.5 inches Wingspan: 12-15 inches	Native	Seen in places where ponderosa pines grow in central, northeastern, and southeastern Arizona	Late spring to early summer (mid-April to July)
Burrowing Owl	Length: 9-11 inches Wingspan:  21-24 inches	Native	In parks like Veterans Oasis Park and other places like Higley Road Ponds, Rio Salada Audubon Center in Phoenix, and Rousseau Sod Farms	Late winter to early spring (February to August)
Whiskered Screech Owl	Length: 6.3-7.9 inches Wingspan:  17.3 inches	Native	Southeastern Arizona, around the Madrean Sky region	Late spring to early summer (April to May)
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl	Length: 5.9 inches Wingspan:  6.5-7 inches	Native	South-central Arizona, where it nests inside the cavities of cacti like the saguaro	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Elf Owl	Length: 4.9-5.7 inches Wingspan:  10.5 inches	Native	In the Sonoran Desert, either near saguaro cacti or in places with easy access to water	Late spring to summer (April to July)
Large Owls
Barn Owl	Length: 12-16 inches  Wingspan: 42-43 inches	Native	Open areas across the state	Year-round, with peaks in late winter and spring (March to June)
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Spotted in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts but known to avoid the hotter parts and stay closer to places with vegetation and shade	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Long-eared Owl	Length: 13-16 inches Wingspan: 24-40 inches	Native	Different habitats like the White Mountains and national forests like the Apache-Sitgreaves and the Coconino	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Southeastern Arizona, especially over open fields and grassy habitats	Varies, often in early spring (March to September)
Spotted Owl	Length: 17 inches Wingspan: 45 inches	Native	Northern Arizona, in national forests like the Coconino and the Kaibab	Early spring to late summer (February to August)

Where Can You See Owls in Arizona

The Great Horned Owl, the Burrowing Owl, and the Western Screech Owl are the most common owls in Arizona, with sightings occurring in most wildlife preserves, like the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and Catalina State Park. Rarer species like the Elf Owl have been seen in many places like Madera Canyon and Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, though Kartchner Caverns State Park is one of the few places where these little owls are known to meet and breed regularly every year.