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Quiet forests, misty marshes, and twilight coastlines are all over Rhode Island. They’re majestic sights and home to various owl species. These silent hunters with watchful eyes are often hard to find.
But…
For those who listen closely, it’s possible to find owls in Rhode Island. Spotting them in the wild requires patience and keen vision. They often hide in plain sight, nesting in diverse places like coastal dunes and suburban parks.
Ready to see owls in RI? Read on and find out where to look!
Get to Know the Majestic Owls in Rhode Island
- Great-Horned Owl
Length: 17 to 25 inches
Wingspan: 3 to 5 feet
Weight: 910 to 2,500 grams
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
With a wing span wider than your arm span, the Great-horned Owl has a commanding presence that’s impossible to miss.
It has piercing yellow eyes and ear-like tufts. The deep hooting sound is also a primary marker, helping you quickly identify them.
Great-horned Owls have a Hollywood-famous hoot. The deep sound they make is the classic owl sound that’s often portrayed in movies,
While they can be easy to hear, spotting them is another story. They’re masters of disguise, adopting the look of a silent statue as they camouflage against tree bark.
Most of the Great-horned Owl’s body is a mottled gray-brown. Their face is reddish brown, and their throat features a distinctive white patch.
A powerful predator, these nocturnal phantoms can take down larger prey, including other birds and mammals. Common meals feature frogs and scorpions.
- Barred Owl
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Length: 17 to 20 inches
Wingspan: 39 to 43 inches
Weight: 470 to 1,050 grams
Scientific Name: Strix Varia
These birds have brown eyes so dark they’re almost black. Their lower body features vertical brown bars striping a nearly white background while the upper body has horizontal brown bars.
Near the water is where you should be if you fancy spotting these RI owls. Follow the sound of chaotic duets to find them in the wild.
Speaking of their sounds, did you know that they have a human-like laugh? The jarring sound they make can haunt hikers who have no idea about the birds surrounding their paths.
Some people say that they can also sound like dogs. Try imitating their call and wait patiently until they fly.
Their flight may be silent, but don’t make incorrect assumptions. These are mighty predators, imitating their more famous, fishing-focused sibling, the osprey, as they skim ponds to grab small fish.
- Eastern Screech-Owl
Photo from Pixabay
Length: 6 to 10 inches
Wingspan: 19 to 24 inches
Weight: 120 to 240 grams
Scientific Name: Megascops asio
Compared to the other owls in The Ocean State, the Eastern Screech-Owl is smaller. It’s short but stocky, with an almost invisible neck. Their large heads give way to rounded wings.
There are two main types of Eastern Screech-Owl, one a rusty red color, the other a few shades of gray. These nocturnal raptors have camouflaging superpowers, stretching their bodies to look like branches, leading to a nasty surprise for their prey!
Eastern Screech-Owls are hoarders. They hide dead prey in tree cavities. With these leftovers saved, they have something to turn to during lean nights.
Trees are the most common habitats for these owls. Look among Rhode Island’s plentiful evergreen and deciduous trees if you want to spot them.
They can be present even in suburban areas. Look for them in backyard nesting boxes, wooded trails, and park rees.
- Barn Owl
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Length: 12 to 15 inches
Wingspan: 3 to 4 inches
Weight: 470 to 570 grams
Scientific Name: Tyto alba
With its pale, heart-shaped face, this night watcher looks more alien than owl. The Barn Owl’s underparts are snow white while its back is golden brown.
This owl’s distinctive facial disc is both eerie and functional, giving it an auditory superiority that it uses to hear the faintest sounds and up its hunting game. They have precise hearing that it relies on to catch prey with little in the way of visual cues.
It’s common for owls of Rhode Island to hoot, but Barn Owls hiss and shriek. Their odd calls have earned them the dual monikers “demon owl” and “ghost owl.”
Looking for Barn Owls in Rhode Island? The first place to search would be abandoned barns, which is where they got their name. You might also see them in the more open habitats that the state is known for, like marshes and farmlands.
- Northern Saw-whet Owl
Photo by Andy Chilton on Unsplash
Length: 7 to 9 inches
Wingspan: 16 to 19 inches
Weight: 50 to 150 grams
Scientific Name: Aegolius acadicus
Cute best describes these owls in RI. They’re typically about the size of a coffee cup and can fit comfortably in your palm.
While the Northern Saw-whet Owl might look innocent, this fierce representative of the species effortlessly hunts mice and other small mammals. A single mouse often represents two meals for these owls, as they divide and store their kills for later.
Wondering where it got its name? Legend has it that it’s from the whetting or sharpening sound of a saw blade.
In the winter, search for them in the forests and thickets of Rhode Island. Your hunt won’t be easy. They’re hide-and-seek masters, in no small part because of their size. Check holly bushes and cedar groves to increase the chances of a sighting.
Some birdwatchers frequently see these owls at Arcadia Woods and Beavertail State Park.
- Snowy Owl
Photo from Pexels
Length: 20 to 28 inches
Wingspan: 4 to 5 feet
Weight: 1,600 to 2,900 grams
Scientific Name: Bubo scandiaca
The descriptive name of this silent-winged predator is a clue to its regal appearance. They’re white birds with varied brown or black marks around the body. Females have a salt-and-pepper look while males are often paler.
It has a chunky body, which makes it look wide as it sits on the base. Meanwhile, its eyes are yellow and piercing, captivating even non-birders.
Its name isn’t just a reference to its physical appearance. It also refers to its sturdiness. They can survive in extremely cold temperatures.
These owls are marathon fliers. They have large wings that make them agile and swift as they fly.
Seeing snowy owls in Rhode Island can be challenging. They don’t typically live in the state. Since they’re nomads, these birds are often migrating.
Climate change is threatening their Arctic breeding grounds. The small population adds to the difficulty of spotting them in the Ocean State, but they do come around every so often. If you’re headed to the Ocean State on a birding trip, don’t count on a sighting, but keep your eyes peeled. You might get lucky!
- Long-Eared Owl
Photo from Pexels
Length: 13 to 16 inches
Wingspan: 35 to 39 inches
Weight: 200 to 425 grams
Scientific Name: Asio otus
You probably guessed the most prominent physical feature of this bird—its long ear tufts. They look like exclamation marks pointing up. Such also makes them appear as if they’re always surprised.
But even with such pronounced features, these owls in Rhode Island are stealthy. It doesn’t help that they’re light brown with dark brown streaks. It’s easy for them to hide beneath trees and leaves.
It’s easier to see them in the winter, as this is when they’re often in large groups. There can be as many as 20 of them in one roost.
Their hideouts? RI’s overgrown thickets and dense forests. Use binoculars and scan conifers in places like Trustom Pond at dusk.
- Short-Eared Owl
Photo by Pete Nuij on Unsplash
Length: 13 to 17 inches
Wingspan: 33 to 43 inches
Weight: 200 to 250 grams
Scientific Name: Asio flammeus
Their ears, technically tufts, are barely there, complemented by bold black and yellow eyes. Meanwhile, their bodies are mottled brown with paler under-wings.
Unlike many owls, these birds are active during the day. This is when they hunt for prey as they fly low on areas with short vegetation. Grasslands and open areas are their most common habitats, including short trees. They are also ground-nesters.
When there are predators nearby, parents put on a show. They pretend they have broken wings to keep threats away.
But because grasslands are vanishing, cutting down on their hunting grounds, their population is dwindling.
These birds are migratory and nomadic. One of the most frequent areas they frequent is where there is a high concentration of rodents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common owls in Rhode Island?
The most common owl species in RI are great horned owls, barred owls, and screech owls.
Where to see owls in RI?
The best places to see Rhode Island owls are at Arcadia Management Area, Trustom Pond, Block Island, Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, and Beavertail State Park.
Are there snowy owls in Rhode Island?
Yes, you can find snowy owls in the state, but they are rare. Your best chance to see them is during the winter.
Wrapping Up
Rhode Island’s owls are more than birds. They’re night guardians with a critical role in balancing the ecosystem.
Sadly, the owl population in the state continues to decline. Habitat loss is one of the most common factors contributing to such.
As responsible birding enthusiasts, it’s a must to be protective of the species we love. Admire these birds from a distance, but don't hunt them.
Happy sighting!