Owls in Delaware

Despite its relatively small size, the state of Delaware is home to 9 owl species. Several of these congregate around Delaware Bay, which is close to the Atlantic, while others, like the Snowy Owl, will visit from northern neighboring states like Philadelphia or New York.

List of Owls in Delaware

Name	Average Size	Status	Where Do They Live in the State	Mating Season
Small Owls
Eastern Screech Owl	Length: 6-10 inches Wingspan: 18-24 inches	Native	Fairly common, with sightings in Brandywine Creek State Park and Redden State Forest	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Length: 7 – 8 inches Wingspan: 17-22 inches	Native	Commonly seen in northern Delaware in places like White Clay Creek State Park, where deciduous and coniferous forests are found	Spring (March to April)
Burrowing Owl	Length: 9-11 inches Wingspan:  21-24 inches	Accidental	Not common outside of the occasional vagrant sighting	Late winter to early spring (February to August)
Large Owls
Barn Owl	Length: 12-16 inches Wingspan: 42-43 inches	Native	This owl is commonly seen in the coastal marshes of Delaware Bay	Year-round, with peaks in late winter and spring (March to June)
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Commonly seen in the eastern part of the state in places like Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Barred Owl	Length: 16-24 inches Wingspan: 16-24 inches	Native	Commonly seen in places like Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Brandywine Creek State Park in the north, as well as Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Killens Pond State Park, and Fork Branch Nature Preserve in the central part of the state	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Snowy Owl	Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 49-58 inches	Native	Extremely rare nowadays, with few sightings in the state	Varies by region and based on prey availability (any time between May and September)
Long-eared Owl	Length: 13-16 inches Wingspan: 24-40 inches	Native	Fairly common in Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay	Late winter to Spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Seen in eastern Delaware, in places like Dover and Delaware Bay	Varies, often in early spring (March to September)

Where Can You See Owls in Delaware

Little Creek Wildlife Area in Delaware Bay, east of Dover, is a great place to see the Short-eared Owl, where they flock annually on a regular basis. They are also seen in Slaughter Beach when it gets colder, albeit infrequently.