Owls in Arkansas

Arkansas is home to 9 native species of owls. Some are rare, like the Burrowing Owl, the Long-eared Owl, and the Snowy Owl. Arkansas is a wet state, with thunderstorms and hail being quite common, with only a few owls being able to handle the weather.

List of Owls in Arkansas

Name with Sounds	Average Size	Status	Distribution	Mating Season
Small Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Length: 7 – 8 inches Wingspan: 17-22 inches	Native	Extremely rare in the state, it stays hidden in coniferous forests. Often spotted close to Hot Springs and Russellville	Spring (March to April)
Eastern Screech Owl	Length: 6-10 inches Wingspan: 18-24 inches	Native	Southeastern part of the state, near cities like Little Rock, Hot Springs, Harriet, etc	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Burrowing Owl	Length: 9-11 inches Wingspan:  21-24 inches	Native	Rare in the state as the marshes and wetlands of Arkansas make it difficult for these owls to build their nests	Late winter to early spring (February to August)
Large Owls
Barn Owl	Length: 12-16 inches  Wingspan: 42-43 inches	Native	Quite common in Arkansas, with the population being the highest around the wetlands of the Mississippi Delta in the eastern part of the state. This includes cities like Jonesboro and West Memphis	Year-round, with peaks in late winter and spring (March to June)
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Prefers agricultural openings in between woodlands in southeastern Arkansas. Sightings occur around Lake Chicot	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Long-eared Owl	Length: 13-16 inches Wingspan: 24-40 inches	Native	Rare in the state, it occasionally migrates during winters	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Barred Owl	Length: 16-24 inches Wingspan: 16-24 inches	Native	Very common in the state, often spotted in abandoned buildings or tree cavities in woods or other forested areas. Sightings occur around Lake Chicot, Stuttgart, and Hot Springs	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Mostly observed during winter, as this owl often migrates to Arkansas from colder places. It can be seen around Stuttgart, Jonesboro, and St. Charles	Varies, often in early spring (March to September)
Snowy Owl	Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 49-58 inches	Native	Extremely rare, with sightings of this owl attributed to vagrants mistakenly traveling south during winter	Varies by region and based on prey availability (any time between May and September)

Where Can You See Owls in Arkansas

Common owl species in Arkansas, like the Barn and Great Horned Owls, can be seen in most parks, national forests, and preserves in the state. These include the Ozark National Forest, the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ouachita National Forest.