Some of the most amazing wildlife in the whole country can be found in California, which is known for its huge wine country and unique natural settings.
The Bureau of Land Management says that it is the state in the United States with the most species of plants and animals. That being said, it’s likely to be a place that both tourists and nature lovers, especially bird watchers, will put on their dream lists.
Are you interested in the different kinds of owls that live in California? If so, here are ten types that are native to the state.
1. Barn Owl
Barn owls can be found all over the country, but the state of California has some of the most people in any destination. Barn owls usually hunt at night, but in the winter, when food is scarcer, they hunt more during the day. This makes it more likely for people to see them in the wild!
2. California Great Horned Owls
Great horned owls live in fields, woods, and other areas all over the state. But don’t get too excited. These animals can be found in a lot of different places, and their color makes it easy for them to hide.
You’ll need to wait and think outside the box to see one of these beautiful things. It might not be clear, but their “horns” aren’t really horns at all. They look like horns because they are two big tufts of feathers!
3. Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl is another popular bird that lives in California. They are both strange and cute. Different from many other owls, burrowing owls are diurnal, which means they are busy during the day.
The number of these owls has been going down over the past few years, but there are still a lot of them in the Imperial Valley in Southern California.
4. Great Gray Owl
Great Gray Owls can be seen in Yosemite National Park in California if you’ve been looking for a chance to do so. The National Park Service says that Yosemite is the southernmost area and last haven for almost all of California’s great gray owls, which are on the list of California’s Endangered Species.
Researchers say that California only has about 200 to 300 people and that about 65% of the state’s people live in Yosemite.
5. Long-Eared Owl
The long-eared owl has two big feather tufts on top of its head, just like the great horned owl. But it might be easier to see one of these owls in real life than some of the other birds on this list.
People think that long-eared owls are one of the most common types of owls in the country. They like living in places with lots of trees, though this is more common in the south.
6. Northern POygmy Owl
The northern pygmy owl is one of the shortest owl types in California. It stands only about 17 centimeters tall. They live all over the western United States and Canada, and you can even find them in southern Alaska.
Not only do they live in many places, but they also change color during the day and are most active during the day. Bird watchers will have many chances to see this cute little owl.
7. California Spotted Owl
While we’re talking about barred owls, let’s talk about the spotted owl, which they are displacing. Over the past few decades, sightings of California spotted owls have been fewer and further between.
Along with the interference of the barred owl, other factors affecting them include the destruction of their natural habitat, an increase in sickness, and the effects of climate change.
Conservation efforts are strong despite this, and experts are optimistic that their numbers will eventually rise again.
8. Short-Eared Owl
A different type that may be found all over the world is the short-eared owl. Unlike other owls, the short-eared owl does not prefer to live in forests. This owl is instead found in meadows, marshes, bogs, and cropland.
Although they are nicknamed “short-eared,” these ears are difficult to discern at first look. Identifying a short-eared owl at all may be difficult. They may be more visible than some other California native owl species, but their small size and secretive character make spotting one quite rare!