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Raptor Index Page

Eastern Screech Owl

- One of smallest owls in east:  7-10 inches, wing span of 18-24 inches

- Two color phases (morphs):  red & gray

- Bright yellow eyes

- Only eastern owl with prominent ear tufts

- Heavy streaks on breast

- Cavity nester

- Call is mournful, descending whinny type call

- Found in woodlands, suburbs, parks & orchards, common on Long Island

Great Horned Owl

- Largest Owl seen on Long Island:  18-25 inches tall, wing span 48-60 inches

- Bright yellow eyes

- Long Feather ear tufts (horns)

- White bib or collar on throat

- Heavily barred breast

- In flight looks neckless, large head, hawklike

- Commonly called "hoot owl":  call is series of 3-8 hoots.  Can be heard for miles.

- Found in woodlands mostly, but also in parks & orchards, common on Long Island

Barn Owl

- Medium size:  14-20 inches tall, wing span 40-45 inches

- Often called "monkey-faced" owl due to white heart- shaped face. 

- Dark eyes, no head tufts

- Tawny, or golden, above with white or pale cinnamon below

- Flight is mothlike, appearing "ghost-like" at night due to white underparts, large head, broad wings

- Call shrill rasping hiss, and/or maniacal shriek

- Found in open country, farms, groves, barns

Northern Saw-whet Owl

- Smallest owl found on Long Island:  7-8 inches tall, wing span 18-21 inches, weighing about 4 ounces

- Wide, rounded head with no tufts

- Bright yellow eyes

- Reddish brown with red/brown streaks on breast

- Black bill

- Juvenile is chocolate brown with white "v"  between eyes

- Call is mellowed, whistled, mechanical toot repeated in endless succession (8-100 times per minute).  Sounds like saw being sharpened

- Found in dense, deep woods.

Short-eared Owl

- Medium sized:  13-17 inches tall, wing span 39-44 inches

- Rounded head with small, hard to see ear tufts

- Bright yellow eyes emphasized by dark face disks

- Tawny colored with boldly streaked breast

- Mothlike flight, buffy wing patch shown in flight

- Call sneezy, raspy, high barking

- Found in marshes, dunes, airport edges, open country

Long-eared Owl

- Crow-sized:  13-16 inches tall, wing span 36-42 inches

- Long feathered ear tufts set close together

- Bright yellow eyes

- Slender in shape

- Rusty facial disk

- Underparts streaked lengthwise

- Call one or two long "hooo's", also catlike whine and doglike bark

- Found in deep woods, dense groves.  Hunts over marshes & fields

Snowy Owl

- Large owl:  21-28 inches tall, wing span 50-65 inches

- Smooth, heavy appearance

- Head rounded, no head tufts

- Bright yellow eyes

- Black beak

- Thickly feathered legs & feet

- Adult male almost all white, female has dark, heavy flecking

- Irruptive species, only seen every few years on LI

- Call is deep booming "hoo", but usually silent

- Found marshes, beaches, dunes, open country

Barred Owl

- Large owl:  16-23 inches tall, wing span 38-45 inches

- Large rounded "puffy-looking" head, no ear tufts

- Dark brown eyes

- Gray/Brown in color, whitish spots on back. 

- Barred pattern across chest, streaked lengthwise on belly

- Call usually series of hoots with last note sliding down in tone; ("who-cooks-for-you-all....")

- Found in deep woods  & swamps

For more information on Owls, go to ENature.com