MONTGOMERY-Did you know that there are 10 species of owls that have been documented in Alabama? One of our most common species of owls is the great horned owl, or hoot owl as it is often referred to because of its typical ‘hoo hoo’ call that can be heard at night. While the great horned owl is fairly common across the state, even in urban areas, they are rarely seen because their cryptic coloration allows them to seamlessly blend into their surrounding habitat. Thanks to comb-like adaptations to the leading edge of their feathers, owls are also considered the silent hunters of the night, soundlessly swooping down to capture prey. These adaptations also make detecting owls quite difficult! Many times, the only way to locate an owl is by listening for their calls, much like with any bird species! Listening right at dusk or in the early morning hours is the best time to try and find these iconic birds in Alabama.
Be sure to listen out for our native owls calling while out trick-or-treating this year!
To find out more about the different owls found in Alabama check out our Watchable Wildlife HERE
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
