Owls in Kentucky

As part of the Mississippi flyway used by migratory birds enroute to the south for the winter, Kentucky is home to a wide variety of birds, including 9 species of owls. Due to the presence of the Cumberland Plateau in the east – an area with massive amounts of coal – owls tend to be rarer in this part.

While none of Kentucky’s owls are at risk, it is worth noting that the Barn Owl population in the state is declining, mostly due to a loss in habitat.

List of Owls in Kentucky

Name	Average Size	Status	Where Do They Live in the State	Mating Season
Small Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owl	Length: 7 – 8 inches Wingspan: 17-22 inches	Native	Migrates to the state in the winter, with sightings of juvenile birds being the most common in places like Daniel Boone National Forest and Jefferson Memorial Forest	Spring (March to April)
Eastern Screech Owl	Length: 6-10 inches Wingspan: 18-24 inches	Native	Year-round residents in forests and parks in the state, with sightings in Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest	From late winter to early spring (Between February and April)
Burrowing Owl	Length: 9-11 inches Wingspan: 21-24 inches	Accidental	Occasional visitor to the state of Kentucky	Late winter to early spring (February to August)
Large Owls
Barn Owl	Length: 12-16 inches Wingspan: 42-43 inches	Native	Rare in the state, with nests scattered throughout northern and central Kentucky	Year-round, with peaks in late winter and spring (March to June)
Great Horned Owl	Length: 18-25 inches Wingspan: 40-60 inches	Native	Very common in the state, with sightings in the northwest in places like Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest	Late fall to early winter (November to January)
Barred Owl	Length: 16-24 inches Wingspan: 16-24 inches	Native	Permanent resident, with sightings in the various wetlands of Kentucky	Late winter to spring (February to April)
Short-eared Owl	Length: 13-17 inches Wingspan: 33-43 inches	Native	Throughout the state, with a lot of sightings in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, though rarer in east Kentucky	Varies, often in early spring (March to June, peaking in April)
Snowy Owl	Length: 20-27 inches Wingspan: 49-58 inches	Accidental	Vagrant spotted in the northern part of the state in places like Sparta	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	Uncommon but have been spotted during the colder seasons	From late winter to early spring (around February to April)

Where Can You See Owls in Kentucky

In the western part of the state, Ballard Wildlife Management Area is home to the Barred Owl as is the “Land Between The Lakes” National Recreation Area shared between Kentucky and Tennessee.