10 Elusive Owls May Be Among Your Neighborhood Regulars

More often heard than seen, these 10 elusive owls may be among your neighborhood regulars.

- Sally Roth

Secrecy and stealth, plus the cover of darkness, keep most owls out of sight. Seeing one is so special, youmight think these raptors are rare birds. But they’re actually all around you, hidden in plain sight.

To avoid discovery, owls perch motionless, nearly invisible in their superb camouflage. Still, other birds sometimes spot them and immediately raise a ruckus—so when you hear that kind of commotion, take a look.

And tune in at night, when most species are hootin’ and hollerin’, each with its own unique voice. Once you start listening for owls, you’ll discover they’re not rare birds at all—but definitely remarkable!

GREAT HORNED OWL

The deep hoots of these big birds (with a wingspan of 4½ feet!) are heard at night across North America in every habitat, even in cities. They’re most vocal in winter, so bundle up and step outside for a listen. Their favorite food? Skunks! But their full menu is a long one, including crows and other birds, frogs, shrews, bats, rabbits and other small mammals.

BARRED OWL

Known for its call, Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?, this common, noisy species of the East, Midwest and Northwest is mostly nocturnal. Unlike many of its relatives with yellow eyes, the barred owl has dark eyes, which enhance its mysterious appearance.