Credit: Gay Raab Photography
Owls
Owls are a fascinating group of birds that have inspired (and mystified) cultures around the world for centuries. Most owls are nocturnal, and their extra large eyes help them see in the dark and give them the big-eyed look humans love. Equipped with an opposable digit on their talons, all owls, even the tiny ones, make formidable predators.
New Jersey is home to eight owl species, from the very small Saw-whet Owl to the large Great Horned Owl.
| Owl | Ear Tufts | Migratory | Habitat in NJ | Status in NJ | Nest type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | Yes | No | Everywhere | Common | Stick |
| Snowy Owl | No | Yes | Open Fields | Vulnerable | Scrape |
| Barred Owl | No | No | Swamps and woods | Threatened | Stick |
| Barn Owl | No | No | Farmland | Endangered | Cavity |
| Eastern Screech Owl | Yes | No | Woods or the suburbs | Common | Cavity |
| Long-eared Owl | Yes | Yes | Dense conifer Forests | Uncommon | Stick |
| Short-eared Owl | Yes | Yes | Grasslands | Uncommon | Scrape |
| Saw-whet Owl | No | Yes | Conifer forests | Uncommon | Cavity |