Outdoors

8 owls of Canada and where to find them

Published: July 26, 2018 Updated: June 7, 2022
Barn owl
Barn owls are all over the place, in a global sense — they can be found on every continent on Earth, minus Antarctica. However, in Canada, barn owls only breed in the southernmost parts of BC and Ontario, where they are endangered. They don’t like the cold, so Canada isn’t exactly their ideal habitat. However, you can still spot barn owls in Canada if you go to southern BC. They tend to nest in tree cavities and barns, hence the name, and there’s even a population living in Vancouver. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Barn Owl

The Short-Eared Owl
The short-eared owl has tiny ear tufts that look a bit like a small cat or dog’s. They’re found across much of Canada (they have a wider range than their cousin the long-eared owl), particularly in the grasslands, and they roost on the ground, sometimes even in large groups. Less nocturnal than other owls, short-eared owls can sometimes be seen in the daytime. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Short-Eared Owl

Snowy owl
The snowy owl stands alone on this list as an icon of Canada’s north. It even appeared on the 1989 edition of the $50 bill. The snowy owl sticks to fairly cold climates, but in the winter, they can be found in most parts of Canada. Unlike most owls, they’re daytime hunters, and they need to catch 7-12 mice a day to meet their food requirements. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Snowy Owl

Barred owl
Also known as the “hoot owl,” the barred owl is known for its distinctive predatory cry, which some people say sounds like it's saying, “Who cooks for you?” A medium-sized bird (about the size of a goose), the barred owl is named for the vertical “bars” on its chest. These birds can be found across much of Canada in healthy numbers — perhaps too healthy. Barred owls are said to be displacing spotted owls, who are considered a species at risk. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Barred Owl

Spotted owl
In Canada, this round-headed, dark-eyed bird can only be found in British Columbia, though its range stretches all the way down to Mexico. A victim of habitat destruction (and of competition with the barred owl), spotted owls are classified as “near-threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are very few spotted owls in BC, though a captive breeding program is attempting to rejuvenate the population. Larger populations of spotted owls can be found in California. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Spotted Owl

The Burrowing Owl
With their inquisitive faces and big, round eyes, burrowing owls are some of the most expressive creatures out there. Smaller than pigeons, these birds nest in “burrows” underground and eat insects and small rodents. They live primarily in the southern prairies, though they are scarce, with less than 1,000 pairs estimated to live in Canada. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Burrowing Owl

The Great Horned Owl
This owl is known for its long ear tufts, imposing glare, and prodigious hunting ability. These large predators are such accomplished hunters, they can even take down ospreys and peregrine falcons, though their diet is mostly made up of hares, rabbits, rats, mice, and voles. They live almost everywhere in Canada, minus the far north, and can be found in forested and semi-forested areas. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Great Horned Owl

boreal owl
As the name suggests, boreal owls tend to stick to forests, with a range spanning across Canada from east to west. Boreal change up their roosting spots throughout the day, which can make them a bit tricky to find, although they don’t have much fear of humans, and will nest in nest boxes set up by people. [Photo: Shutterstock]
The Boreal Owl

Owls are amazing, with their incredible night vision, expressive faces, and deadly predator instincts. In various cultures throughout history, they’ve been seen as omens of death, symbols of luck, and the only beings wise enough to tell us how many licks it takes to get to the centre of a Tootsie Pop. But while the lore of owls is fascinating, nothing is as amazing as seeing a wild owl out in its natural habitat.

There are around 200 species of owl in the world, and 16 of them live in Canada. They’re spread out all over the country, even living in our cities, and yet owls can be elusive. Their specially evolved feathers help them fly silently, and unless you’re out after dark, your chances of spotting one are almost nil. But the first way to up your chances of seeing these incredible birds is to learn a bit more about them. So, to help you out, here are eight of Canada’s owl species, and where you can find them.

Featured Video 

Want weekly cottage and outdoor tips? Sign up for our free newsletters to receive stories and how-to videos delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe Now!

Tags

Related Articles