Long-eared Owl
Owls in Arizona represent a diverse group of nocturnal—and in some cases diurnal—raptors, adapted to habitats ranging from desert scrub and grasslands to pine–oak forests and high mountain meadows. Around a dozen species occur regularly, with others appearing as rare visitors. Common year-round residents include the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), a powerful and adaptable predator; the smaller Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii), often found in urban areas; and the diminutive Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi), the world’s smallest owl, inhabiting desert washes and saguaro cavities. Specialized species like the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) live in open grasslands and agricultural fields, often using prairie dog or ground squirrel burrows, while the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) occurs locally in riparian and mesquite habitats in the far south. The Barn Owl (Tyto alba), a ghostly, pale hunter of open fields and agricultural lands, is also a widespread resident across the state.
In Arizona’s Sky Islands, high-elevation species such as the Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus) appear in summer, while Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) are seen in winter. The Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma), a small, diurnal hunter of songbirds and small mammals, is found mainly in forested canyons and mountain slopes, especially in southeastern Arizona. Rare and sought-after species include the Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis), found mainly in southeastern canyons, and the Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis), a declining species tied to mature forests. The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), a secretive species of riparian woodlands and dense thickets, occurs mainly in winter, while the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), a grassland hunter often active at dawn and dusk, appears irregularly in migration and winter.