5 Fascinating World of Owls in Maryland

There is something undeniably special about owls. They are creatures of mystery and intrigue and seem to capture the imaginations of people of all ages.

Owls can be found in many parts of the world, including Maryland! In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look at the fascinating world of owl in Maryland.

We will discuss their physical characteristics, their behavior and ecology, and the threats they face. We will also take a look at some of the most common owl species found in Maryland. So without further ado, let’s jump into the fascinating world of owls in Maryland!

Owls Characteristics

Owls are nocturnal predators and have some of the most impressive physical adaptations of any animal. Their large eyes are specially adapted to help them see in low light conditions, and their ears are asymmetrical, which helps them locate prey by sound. Owls also have very powerful talons and beaks that they use to kill their prey.

Owls Diet (Explained)

The diet of owls varies depending on the species, but most owls primarily eat small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews.

Owls will also eat birds, reptiles, insects, and even other owls! Some larger owl species have been known to kill deer fawns and small dogs.

Owls are apex predators, which means that they are at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators. This is largely due to their impressive physical adaptations, but also because they are generally quite secretive and elusive creatures.

Threats to Owls

The biggest threat to owls is habitat loss. As human development continues to encroach on natural areas, owls are losing the places they need to live and hunt.

Owls are also threatened by pollution, pesticides, and other human-caused factors.

Climate change is also a threat to owls, as it is changing the distribution of their prey species and making it harder for them to find food.

Common Owl Species in Maryland

There are four owl species that are commonly found in Maryland: the barred owl, the great horned owl, the Eastern screech-owl, and the short-eared owl.

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Barred owl

This is a large owl with brown and white stripes on its chest. It typically lives in wooded areas near streams or swamps.

Fun Facts About The Barred owl

• The barred owl is one of the most common owl species in Maryland.
• The barred owl is also known as the “hoot owl” because of its distinctive call.
• Great horned owl
• This is a large, powerful owl with ear tufts and yellow eyes. It can be found in a variety of habitats but is most common in forests.

Where To Find The Barred owl

You can find this barred owl in wooded areas near streams or swamps.

When To See The Barred Owl

The best time to see the barred owl is at night.

Great horned owl

This is one of the largest owl species in North America. It has a large head with yellow eyes and black tufts of feathers on its ears. Great horned owls typically live in wooded areas, but can also be found in urban areas.

Fun Facts About The Great horned owl

• The great horned owl is the official state bird of West Virginia.
• Great horned owls are one of the few owl species that will actively hunt during the day.
• They are also one of the most common owl species found in North America.

Where To Find The Great horned owl In Maryland

The great horned owl can be found in wooded areas throughout Maryland. They are most common in the western part of the state.

When To See The Great-horned Owl

Great horned owls are active all year round. However, they are most active at night.

The Eastern screech-owl

This species is a small owl with gray or brown plumage. It has a white stripe on its chest and yellow eyes. Eastern screech-owls typically live in wooded areas, but can also be found in urban areas.

Fun Facts About The Eastern screech-owl

• They are one of the few owl species that can be found in urban areas
• They are proficient hunters and will eat a variety of small prey including insects, rodents, and birds
• Their diet is primarily nocturnal, meaning they do most of their hunting at night

The Eastern screech owl is just one of the many fascinating owl species that can be found in Maryland.

Where To Find The Eastern screech-owl

The Eastern screech owl is found throughout the eastern United States, including Maryland. They typically inhabit wooded areas, but can also be found in urban areas.

When To See The Eastern screech-owl

Eastern screech owls are most active at night, so they are not often seen during the day. However, they can sometimes be seen roosting in trees during the day.

If you’re interested in seeing this fascinating bird up close, there are a few ways to go about it.

The first is to go on an owl prowl. Owl prowls are guided walks that take place at night and are led by experts who know where to find owls.

Another option is to go on an owl pellet dissection tour. Owl pellets are the regurgitated remains of an owl’s prey. These tours are led by experts who can help you identify the remains of different animals.

Short-eared owl

This is a medium-sized owl with orange or yellow eyes. It has ear tufts that are shorter than those of other owl species. Short-eared owls typically live in grasslands or other open areas.

Fun Facts About Short-eared owl

• Short-eared owls are one of the most widespread owl species in the world.
• The oldest recorded short-eared owl was at least 15 years, 11 months old when it was found in Minnesota in 2008.
• Short-eared owls are sometimes called “marsh owls” because they often hunt over wetlands.
• Short-eared owls are one of the few owl species that will sometimes hunt during the day.

Where To See The Short-eared Owl In Maryland

The best place to see a short-eared owl in Maryland is at the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore is home to many different types of owls, including the short-eared owl.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot a short-eared owl while you’re out on a hike or a nature walk.

When To See The Short-eared Owl In Maryland

The best time to see the short-eared owl in Maryland is from October to April. This is when short-eared owls are most active.

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You’re most likely to spot a short-eared owl during the day, but they can also be seen at night.

Long-eared owl

This is a medium to large owl with ear tufts that are longer than those of other owl species. It has yellow eyes and a brownish or gray body. Long-eared owls typically live in woods or other forested areas.

Fun Facts About Long-eared owl

• The long-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world.
• The oldest recorded long-eared owl was at least 20 years old when it was found in Minnesota in 2008.
• Long-eared owls are sometimes called “woodland owls” because they often hunt in forests.
• Long-eared owls are one of the few owl species that will sometimes hunt during the day.

Where To See The Long-eared Owl In Maryland

The long-eared owl is found throughout Maryland but is most common in the western and central parts of the state.

You can often find them roosting in trees during the day, or perched on poles or fence posts.

If you’re lucky, you might see a long-eared owl hunting at dawn or dusk.

When To See The Long-eared Owl In Maryland

Long-eared owls are active year-round, but they are most often seen in the fall and winter.

This is because they are more likely to form pairs and hunt during these months.

You can find long-eared owls in Maryland from September through May.

The best time of day to see a long-eared owl is at dawn or dusk, when they are most likely to be hunting. If you see one during the day, it is probably roosting in a tree or on a pole.

Snowy owl

This is a large owl with white feathers and yellow eyes. It has ear tufts that are shorter than those of other owl species. Snowy owls typically live in the Arctic tundra.

Fun Facts About Snowy owl

• The snowy owl is the largest owl species in the world.
• The oldest recorded snowy owl was at least 21 years old when it was found in Alaska in 2007.
• Snowy owls are sometimes called “Arctic owls” because they often hunt in the Arctic tundra.
• Snowy owls are one of the few owl species that will sometimes hunt during the day.

Where To Find The Snowy Owl USA Maryland

The best place to find the snowy owl in Maryland is at the Assateague Island National Seashore. The island is a barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. It is home to many different kinds of wildlife, including the snowy owl.

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The easiest way to get to Assateague Island is by car. The island has a bridge that connects it to the mainland. There is also a ferry that goes to the island from Virginia.

When To See The Snowy Owl USA  Maryland

The best time to see the snowy owl in Maryland is during the winter months. This is when the owl migrates south from its home in the Arctic tundra.