For more information
Acker, J. 2012. Recent trends in Western Screech-Owl and Barred Owl abundances on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Hunn, E. 2012. Birding in Seattle and King County. 2nd edition. Seattle Audubon Society.
Wahl, E, Tweit, B, & Mlodinow, S, Eds. 2005. Birds of Washington: Status and Distribution. Oregon State University Press.
Owls
Barn Owl.
Alan Tunnicliffe, Shutterstock.
Urban History
Nine owl species have been observed in Seattle. They are described below in the
Although owls are considered nocturnal birds, our regional owl species vary in their active periods.
- Exclusively / typically nocturnal: Western Screech-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Long-eared Owl, Barn Owl
- Crepuscular / nocturnal: Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl
- Diurnal / nocturnal: Snowy Owl–mid-November through mid-March; Short-eared Owl–breeding season
- Diurnal: Northern Pygmy-Owl
We thank Jamie Acker for his contributions to these species accounts.
J.A. Dunbar, Shutterstock.
Barred Owl
Strix varia
- Most common owl species in Seattle. Same genus as critically endangered Spotted Owl (S.
occidentalis ). Nests in forests. Immigrant from eastern U.S. First documented in Washington in 1973; first reported nest in Discovery Park in 1982.- Estimated minimum 15-20 nesting pairs, mostly in wooded parks (e.g., Thornton Creek, Discovery Park, Woodland Park, Schmitz Park).
Mike Mulick, Shutterstock.
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops
- Secretive and declining nester in the city
- Last known in West Seattle, as occasionally reported on ebird.org.
- Predation by Barred Owls has probably contributed to its decline.
mlorenz, Shutterstock.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius
- Uncommon in Seattle, most often reported in winter in Discovery Park.
- First reported nesting in West Seattle in 1983.
- In spring 2018, an adult was found injured in West Seattle. It was treated and released by PAWS Wildlife Center.
DnDavis, Shutterstock.
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
- Declining resident in the city, but continues to nest in Seattle suburbs (e.g., Redmond in 2018).
- First reported nesting in Woodland Park in 1979.
- Occasional Seattle sightings each year, mostly in larger city parks (e.g., Washington Arboretum in 2017).
Mark Bridger, Shutterstock.
Short-eared Owl
Asio
- Rare winter visitor because of limited open country for hunting.
- First reported nesting in 1978 at Magnuson Park.
- Reported annually in winter at the Union Bay Natural Area, Magnuson Park, and Discovery Park.
- In 2016, a pair nested between the runways at SeaTac Airport.
Anan Kaewkhammul, Shutterstock.
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
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Uncommon resident because of limited open country for hunting.
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A pair has used a nest box in Magnuson Park for the last several years.
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In 2018, both members of a pair wintering at Key Arena in downtown Seattle were poisoned by anticoagulant rodenticide, one fatally. The other was successfully treated and released by PAWS Wildlife Center.
Ian Maton, Shutterstock.
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium
- Rare.
Single report of a calling bird in Schmitz Park, West Seattle (3/11/2013). Rare sighting reports in Seattle suburbs, several posted on ebird.org with photo documentation.
colin robert varndell, Shutterstock.
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Rare winter visitor to Western Washington.- A nesting pair with three fledglings was reported in Discovery Park in 2001.
Chris Hill, Shutterstock.
Snowy Owl
Bubo
- Conspicuous winter visitor during irruption years, most recently in 2013.
- Snowy Owls often roost on home rooftops, creating traffic jams of onlookers.