Owls

The night shift

Owls are silent, nocturnal, and mostly heard before seen. Most birders log more owls by call than by sight.

What to look for

call       hoots, screeches, and toots
flight     silent, buoyant, big head
roost      dense evergreens by day
best seen  dusk, on quiet roads

Quick marks

A barn owl is a pale ghost over a field. A barred owl asks "who cooks for you?" A great horned owl is the deep hoot you already know.