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For the past few weeks, a barred owl has taken up residence somewhere in the trees just outside our bedroom window. Night after night, it’s call drifts through the dark, that familiar “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” echoing across the yard. It’s a hauntingly beautiful sound, the kind that makes you pause and listen, a quiet reminder that while we are tucked in and asleep, the forest is wide awake and full of life.
My interest in birds goes back to childhood, to a fifth-grade classroom led by a teacher who made the outdoors feel like an extension of our school day. He was delightfully quirky, the kind of teacher who wore purple socks with Birkenstocks, had spent time in the Peace Corps, and seemed to know everything there was to know about the natural world. We went on hikes to look for scat, search for pellets, and listen closely for bird calls hidden in the trees. It was in his class that I dissected my first owl pellet and was introduced to nature journaling, both of which left a lasting impression. His enthusiasm for birds sparked something in me that has stayed with me all these years.
Owls, in particular, have always carried a sense of mystery. They are nocturnal, rarely seen, and often only known by their calls drifting through the night. If you are lucky, you might hear one. If you are even luckier, and you know where and when to look, you might catch a glimpse as one glides silently through the trees.
Keep reading to learn more about the types of owls you might spot here in Arkansas and a few of the best places to listen and look for them.
Barred Owl
This is the voice most Arkansans recognize, thanks to its classic “who cooks for you” call echoing through wooded areas and near water. Barred owls are active at night but will sometimes call during the day, especially on cloudy afternoons, which makes them a little easier to notice than other owls.
Great Horned Owl
Large, powerful and unmistakable with its “ear” tufts, the great horned owl is one of the top predators of the night. They are incredibly adaptable and can be found in forests, fields and even suburban areas. Fun fact, they start nesting earlier than most birds, sometimes in the dead of winter.
Eastern Screech Owl
Don’t let the name fool you; these owls rarely screech. Instead, they make a soft, haunting trill or whinny sound. They are small, well-camouflaged, and often go unnoticed, even when they are perched right in a backyard tree.
Barn Owl
With a heart-shaped face and pale coloring, barn owls look almost ghostlike when they fly. They prefer open fields, barns, and agricultural areas. Their eerie, raspy call is very different from the typical hooting most people expect from an owl.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
These tiny owls are rarely seen but do pass through Arkansas during migration and may overwinter in quiet wooded areas. Their high-pitched call has been compared to the sound of a saw being sharpened, which is how they got their name. The Saw-whet owl is fairly new to the state. You can learn more from the University of Arkansas.
Short-eared Owl
Short-eared owls are often active during the day, especially at dawn and dusk. You’ll typically find them flying low over open fields and grasslands, almost like a hawk. Their buoyant, moth-like flight makes them surprisingly easy to spot if you’re in the right place.
Long-eared Owl
These secretive owls prefer dense woodlands and are masters of camouflage. Their tall ear tufts and slender bodies help them blend in with tree trunks. They are rarely seen, but in winter they sometimes roost in small groups, quietly tucked into thick cover during the day.
A Closer Look at Owl Pellets
One of the most fascinating ways to study owls is through their pellets. Owls typically eat mice, rats and rabbits. They will also eat birds, snakes, fish and amphibians. They usually swallow their prey whole or in large pieces because they lack teeth or a crop like other birds. Their digestive system is designed to digest the soft tissue. Later, they regurgitate a compact pellet made up of bones, fur, and other indigestible material.
These pellets are incredibly valuable for learning. By carefully dissecting them, you can identify the small mammals and creatures an owl has eaten, giving insight into both the owl’s diet and the local ecosystem.
Here in Arkansas, some state parks include owl pellet dissections as part of their interpretive programs, which is a fun, hands-on way for kids and adults to learn. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission also provides pellet dissection programs where you can try it yourself. It’s a simple activity that connects you directly to the forest’s hidden life in a way that’s hard to forget.
Educators looking to include pellet dissection in their classroom can reach out to Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas or a local rehab center. Many offer recovered pellets at low or no cost to educators.
Tips for Spotting Owls in Arkansas
Spotting an owl takes a little patience, but it’s one of those experiences that feels like a small reward when it finally happens.
Start by going at the right time. Owls are most active at dusk and just before dawn, though some species will call throughout the night. Quiet evenings, especially in late fall through early spring, can be some of the best times to listen.
Location matters too. Owls like trees, but they also like large open spaces to catch their prey, so the wooded edge of a field or body of water is ideal. State parks, wildlife management areas, and even your own backyard can all be good places to start. The same quiet trails and shadowy tree lines that make Arkansas’s Night Forest feel so alive after dark, and the trails highlighted in Night Hikes in Arkansas, are often the very places where owl calls carry the clearest.
When you’re out, slow down and listen first. Often, you’ll hear an owl before you ever see one. Once you hear a call, stay still and let your eyes adjust to the dark. A red-light flashlight can help you see without startling wildlife. And if you’re lucky enough to spot one, keep your distance and enjoy the moment quietly.
Interested in learning more about Arkansas wildlife? Check out these articles.
Arkansas Coyotes
Your Guide to Birding in Arkansas
Hawks of Arkansas
Where to See Eagles
Spring Migration in Arkansas
Cover photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
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