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Velvet Digest

Where are owls in California?

Author

Christopher Harper

Updated on April 19, 2026

Northern Spotted Owls reside in old-growth forests in northern California, southern British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. As one of three subspecies of spotted owl, the Northern Spotted Owl does not migrate, but will occasionally shift their range in response to seasonal changes.

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Beside this, where can I see owls in California?

It is relatively common throughout California and North America. You can find this owl in all kinds of habitat – deserts, forests, meadows, wetlands, grasslands, even backyards.

Also, what Owls are in my area? The most common backyard owls include:

  • Barn owl.
  • Barred owl.
  • Eastern screech-owl.
  • Great horned owl.
  • Western screech-owl.

In this way, what kind of owls live in California?

The great horned owl, the western screech owl and the barn owl are year-round residents of Southern California, although none are abundant.

Is owning an owl legal in California?

There are a few that will accept this, but not many. In California there are only four classes of people allowed to handle owls: zoos, wildlife educators, falconers and rehabbers. A zoo will not let you pet or handle an owl because of the legal liability.

Related Question Answers

Are Owls dangerous?

Owls of all kinds have been known to attack people when defending their young, their mates, or their territories. Frequent targets include unsuspecting joggers and hikers. Often victims escape without injury, and deaths from owl attacks are extremely rare.

Why does an owl hoot?

These owls are, for the most part, nocturnal, but can occasionally be heard during the day. Owls hoot to communicate or announce. A hooting owl is either declaring it's territory, attracting or communicating with a mate or locating owlets on the ground.

Why do owls hoot all night?

But Why do owls hoot at night? They hoot at night because they are: Protecting their territory from other Owls. Screeching or low barking because they feel threatened or need to protect their territory.

Do owls eat cats?

Yes! Owls eat cats. It's a crazy food chain out there and just because your cat is almost as large as the owl, it doesn't mean the bird won't try to eat it. With their outstanding hunting skills and the advantage of being able to fly, they are adept at eating small pets.

How do you attract owls in California?

Tips for Attracting Owls
  1. Install nesting boxes to provide owls with a secure location to set up home.
  2. Don't prune large branches from trees.
  3. Put outdoor flood lights on timers.
  4. Provide bird baths.
  5. Mow the lawn less often to give owls a more appealing hunting ground.

Do owls live in Los Angeles?

Barn owls are one of three species of owls native to Los Angeles. Since the largest prey a barn owl can capture is a rodent, they are not a threat to pets. The more barn owl boxes we place in a community, the greater the odds are that the owls will find and nest in them.

What kind of owls are in Southern California?

Southern California is home to several different species of owls. They dwell in various types of landscapes, including desert, mountain and valley areas, as well as city areas populated mainly by humans. The three main species are the western screech owl, the great horned owl and the North American barn owl.

What type of owls live in San Diego?

The Great Horned Owl is San Diego County's most widespread owl, a year-round resident in all parts of the county. It lives in all types of woodland and in any open scrub growing over rugged topography. It nests wherever there are old hawk or raven nests, be these in trees, on cliff ledges, or on buildings.

Do owls live at the beach?

Owls are found in many different habitats, such as deserts, forests, prairies and even the Arctic tundra. They nest in trees, in holes in the ground, in barns, and in caves. And while many other birds migrate to warmer places during the winter, most owls do not. They live in the same place all year round.

Are owls good luck or bad luck?

In general, owls are viewed as omens of bad luck, ill health, or death. The belief is widespread even today. Among the Kikuyu of Kenya it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. If one saw an owl or heard its hoot, someone was going to die.

What is the largest owl ever recorded?

The European race of the eagle owl (Bubo bubo) is the world's largest owl with an average length of 66-71 cm (26-28 in), a weight of 1.6-4 kg (3 lb 8 oz - 8 lb 13 oz) and a wingspan of more than 1.5 m (5 ft). It has been known to abduct small cats and other animals.

What does a great horned owl sound like?

Great Horned Owls advertise their territories with deep, soft hoots with a stuttering rhythm: hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo. The male and female of a breeding pair may perform a duet of alternating calls, with the female's voice recognizably higher in pitch than the male's.

What is the biggest owl in California?

Great Horned

Are there owls in San Francisco?

Barn Owls (#284 on my 2010 list) are the only other owl species seen regularly in San Francisco, although they are far less numerous than Great Horned Owl. Although there are not many in San Francisco, the Barn Owl is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.

Are owls protected in California?

Like its cousins the Mexican and northern spotted owls, the California spotted owl is a bellwether of old-growth forests. But claiming the Framework offered safeguards enough, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied protection for the owl under the Endangered Species Act.

Do owls eat skunks?

Owls prey on a huge variety of creatures, including raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, domestic birds, falcons, and other owls. They regularly eat skunks, and may be the only animal with such an appetite. Owls have even been known to prey upon unlucky cats and dogs.

Do snowy owls live in California?

The owls live in the Arctic, but when their population spikes or lemmings are scarce, young ones fly south. During irruptive years, snowy owls may winter as far south as California, Texas and Florida.

Where do owls go during the day?

HANGING OUT - ROOSTING At the end of a day or night spent hunting, owls return to a resting place, called a roost. Most owls roost alone, or near a nest during the breeding season. However, there are a few species that roost communally, or share a roosting area with other individuals of the same species.

How do you keep owls out of your yard?

Tips on how to get rid of owls
  1. Don't attract other birds. Remove feeders from yard.
  2. Make noise. Try noisemakers, alarms, horns or whistles.
  3. Try a bright light. Shine it on the owl at night.
  4. Install a scarecrow.
  5. Keep your small dogs and cats indoors.
  6. Put a collar with a strobe light on your cat or dog.