How to find owls

I got my start owling in 2020 when I was an Allegheny County park ranger. I led owl prowls and started to get out into the field when I was off the clock to look for owls. I became enthralled with them and it became a passion to learn more about their hidden lives. I hope it brings the same joy for you that it brings for me.
I have used info collected for the ranger "owl prowls" as well as my own research to help give you the confidence to start trying to find owls. Good luck!
Owl adaptations:
• Experiment! How Does A... (flight)
• Owls Have Superior Sen... (senses)
Recommended Apps:
- eBird
- Audubon Birds
- BirdNET
Other references:
• Bird Watching Tips (Bi... (great intro to birding)
• How to start bird watc...
• Top 5 Bird Watching Apps (other good apps)
www.birds.cornell.edu/home/ (Cornell Lab of Ornithology website)
www.birdwatchingdaily.com/new...
www.thespruce.com/tips-on-owl...
fauconeduc.biz/documents/pelle... (pellets PDF)
www.google.com/amp/s/thebrain...
www.intechopen.com/books/owls... (owl population debate)
www.owlresearchinstitute.org/... (general owl knowledge)
www.wired.com/2014/06/squirre... (squirrel alarms)
• A Short Guide to Chipm... (chipmunk alarms)
Call ethics:
www.thespruce.com/ethics-of-b...
Conservation:
www.owlresearchinstitute.org/...
www.nature.org/en-us/get-invo...
www.hungryowls.org/rescue-dia...
www.aviary.org/conservation/c...
Media & Music credits:
Bensound.com (in the description for a video) www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
Chipmunk
www.videvo.net/video/chipmunk...
Squirrel
www.wired.com/wp-content/uplo...
Luke Yanko on Pixels
Owl pellets
www.birdnote.org/explore/fiel...
Bird Close up
www.videvo.net/video/closeup-...
Saw-whet owl photo: National Aviary Website
www.aviary.org/conservation/c...
Lofi music my David Renda

[@DeadDevilDying]

One of the benefits of working the graveyard shift for dollar tree is that in waking up at 2 o clock in the morning to go to a job that started at 3, I saw a lot of wild animals I had no idea I shared space with. Seriously, I don't even live in a wooded area and I saw a barred owl out on my telephone line one morning, a red fox, and a possum. Not all in the same day of course, they were all different encounters.

[@SUNSETEH]

I’m wondering what kind of shoppers go to a dollar tree at 3am?

[@DeadDevilDying]

@@SUNSETEH They can't, we're closed until 8 A.M. but our shit starts at 3 so we can get some stocking done, uninterupted by customers

[@sam_s_]

@@SUNSETEH It is a lot of fun seeing wild animals.

[@briandurkin35]

In the words of Yogi Berra "You can observe a lot just by watching"

[@cortwill4085]

👍

[@satchelack]

The info on calling ethics was fascinating. I had never thought about those issues, but the explanations made perfect sense. Thanks so much for the lesson(s)!

[@32braveheart]

There's a debate in the owl community about the ethics of calling when "Psyched for Nature" is out in the woods.

[@muttonbuster]

Great horned owls are pretty easy to find. If you hear it hooting through the night in the same spot and can echo locate the tree, nine times out of ten it will be snoozing in that tree all day long like a statue. Get out your binoculars and walk around the tree. They tend to set up shop close to the center of trees to camouflage themselves against the trunk.

[@angelmartin7310]

Or just take a drive around midnight near my house because I've had them swoop in front of my car at night many times lol. Terrifying.

[@christopherrobinson3290]

This is some prime info right here. Thx for the tip(s) ... here in NC they are easy to hear, however actually locating them has been a challenge for me. I have walked upon a barn owl maybe about 25 ft up in a tree in downtown - which was a surprise, but it just goes to show these birds are literally everywhere hiding in plain sight ✊🏽

[@kristenlandon796]

I loved how you humorously picked up your cat as “important equipment.” 😹 My favorite owl around is the Great Horned Owl. They’re common here in Oregon’s forests. 🦉❤️

[@PaulRentz]

Yes they are! I like Eastern Oregon for seeing owls. In the Round Barn (Malheur) in spring Great Horned Owls nest all the time. Three or more other species like that area too.

[@bettytorres6137]

I live in Panama, Central America, and just 2 months ago in December 2021 I went to the backyard of my house to pick up some clothes, it was around 9 at night and when I came back I felt something looking at me and when I looked towards my left, I saw how it's head turned towards me and his 2 eyes like fire looking at me. The distance was like 4 or 5 steps from me, really close. I couldn't move and thinking am I really seeing an owl in my backyard? lol, It was staring at me, I think it was about 5 or 10 seconds when I decided to walk without taking my eyes off him until I entered the house. It was a Great Horned Owl, It was really beautiful, it scared me but it's something I will never forget 😀

[@tibeerius3656]

This channel has serious potential to be the best birding channel out there, please keep making videos! They're so good.

[@markwhitesell4491]

If I could give you 10 "thumbs up" for this video, I would. You did a really, REALLY good job covering more than just the basics. Kudos to you.

[@tosehoed123]

Ill give one for you

[@judithwhitehouse2149]

I'm a British owler, but I'd like to congratulate you on this great introduction!

[@Farsightful]

he looks like a vampire.

[@Gixsir]

@@Farsightfulwell who better to look for owls

[@nikkion2140]

Can you guide/help me to find an owl to nest in my rear garden in SE London. It is a bit urban. Thanks. God Bless.

[@cerealkiller4248]

@@nikkion2140Provide a nest box and a source of food, if they like the area they’ll find you. But don’t build your hopes up, I live backing onto farmland/woods and even though I hear them regularly I rarely see them, and have never seen one in my garden. I have lots of small mammals in my garden ( my cat can back me up on this ) so I’m still hoping…………..

[@judithwhitehouse2149]

@@shreemhreemkleem - we have only 5 species, and none of the really large ones, so it's a different experience...

[@Bri-zf9lw]

I really love barn owls for the contrast between their spooky - ethereal appearance, and the murder screeches they make.

[@CedaxV]

My girlfriend and I were walking through our property one night which is heavily wooded and we came across a baby owl about the size of a softball sitting in the limbs of a tree. We were able to get quite close to it and we looked at it for a few minutes before we continue on. It was a most fascinating experience.

[@primesspct2]

When I was a child, we got up one morning and there was an owl trapped on our back porch. No idea how that happened, but my Dad woke us all up to have a quick look. then donned welding gloves put his arm up there, owl climbed on ( amazingly!) took him to the door and off it went! I wish I could recall exactly what it looked like. I know it wasn't a barn owl, and that's about all I know!

[@mtcrush2663]

Me and a friend of mine were walking down a hiking trail in the middle of the day when we heard some bluejays screaming at something. We spotted a flock of them in a nearby tree, and wouldn’t you know, there was a barred owl sitting on a branch! It was being harassed by the jays and a couple of crows. We were so stunned to see an owl at this time of day that we didn’t notice the second barred owl sitting in a tree not five feet from us. It was crazy! Anyway, thanks for all the owl finding tips! Maybe I’ll be able to go back and find those two owls again.

[@jenniferfrank3979]

I have barred, screech and great horned owls in the woods behind my home in a rural part of CT.I have always loved hearing them at night. And occassionally having them fly over me when I walk in the woods (you hear nothing, but see a huge shadow move across you). But I learned so much from this video. Usefull when looking for other birds as well. Thank you so much. Jennifer

[@gkookies1254]

I saw a Barred owl this morning while hiking me with my bright orange hat on. It flew and perched in a tree right next to the trail about 20 feet over head. I did not want to move as not to scare it away. Surprisingly I was able to view the owl for about 20 to 30 seconds before it decided to fly off. What a beautiful creature.

[@hlxshady]

I like that you have enough emphasis on ethnic!!! Thank you!!!

[@lisabloodgood5646]

I am a licensed vet tech and one night on my way home I came across a barred owl sitting in the middle of the road. He looked ok but didn’t fly away so I stopped. I slowly approached the bird but still no reaction so I grabbed a blanket from my car and was able to wrap him in it. I took him to a rehabilitator and she took him to a vet who sent them to an ophthalmologist. The bird had been hit by a car in the head which caused him temporary blindness. When his sight returned he was let back into his habitat and I hope lived happily ever after. What a beautiful creature he was.

[@radb9501]

Hat down my friend. This video oozes with your charming intelligence,and useful information. I wish there was more people like you on this planet. Best wishes.

[@CrazyBlueMood]

Very good video there and very well explained in detail and with very good intent. Keep up the amazing work, looking forward for more of your work.

[@joefrat]

You are incredible. Great information and humor to boot.

[@painterlady7931]

You did an exceptional job with this video! Here in southeastern Michigan, we have several “Metroparks”. Among the several nature events that they offer, one is an evening “owl prowl”. I went to one recently, and that night, luckily, our guide attracted 3 screech owls. It was fascinating. This was one of the last owl prowls of the season, because soon these owls will be laying eggs.

[@xavier-qu7ye]

I live in Houston and I have family by Kensington, but do you know if they have any types of owl prowls at Kensington or around the area?

[@painterlady7931]

​@@xavier-qu7ye Howdy! Check the Metroparks website to find events listed for your nearest park; i.e. Kensington Metropark. Registration is required in advance, and there is usually a small fee. My owl prowl was at the Lake Erie Metropark.

[@xavier-qu7ye]

@@painterlady7931 thank you, I appreciate it

[@PaulMcClennon282]

@@xavier-qu7ye yes they do, there is also a GHO living in a bucket in a tree at Kensington.

[@mackz44]

Thanks for the great video and for all the references. You are my new "Go-to-guy" when it comes to bird info.

[@ANURAG81]

Such a good video! I love the way you narrate! There so much effort put in.. appreciate the knowledge sharing!

[@MtnYetiBarbie]

Dude, Absolutely loved that you picked up the important gear, aka binocs and the orange cat 😍🐈

[@ukestasz]

Well planned and delivered. The ethics section clarified some points for me, a longtime birder. I feel more ready to find smaller owls now. Big ones have never been a problem.

[@jessicatownsend3299]

Very well written and I especially love the do’s and don’ts!!!!! Thank you for including the don’ts!! I have made mistakes of my own in the past when looking for, as well as viewing owls, and I have seen a lot of mistakes made as well. Thank you, for taking the time to inform and educate! I enjoyed this video!!

[@lisamaher6710]

This was so interesting! Thank you for sharing. I come from PA and never knew we had so many different species. Thank you for being so respectful of them and their habitat and especially of their wellbeing.

[@michelletownsley3172]

Thank you for the thoughtful and thorough presentation. I love Burrowing Owls!

[@solsticesummer982]

What an adorable, precious, calm teacher you are!

[@teamadara]

Great video with good information. It’s good that you mentioned the ethics about using playback calls as we often use it not thinking of the consequences. Your example with small and large owl calls is very good.

[@SkeleSquatch51]

This was such a fascinating video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@freewaygodzilla6024]

Definitely subscribing! Tn is so full of owls and they are so fun to try and find! Wonderful video my friend

[@Candle1ightss]

I love great horned owls! I was visiting at Florida and some what stayed up late, I feel asleep alittoe, and then I woke up hearing a great horned owl! It was faint, but it was so awsome to hear it! I know alot about birds, and when I'm older I want to be a ornithologist, or a park ranger. Thank you for this information! Owls are one of my favorite birds!

[@katrinaevexx3]

Hey, thanks for an awesome video! I am a Naturalist for Allegheny County and was so excited to see some familiar sights in your video. I'm surprised we never crossed paths! Keep up the great work :)

[@mikecabe1578]

Young man you are incredible. I learned more information about Owls then I was looking for. I was just randomly browsing KZbin and stumbled across your video.and I'm glad I did. Thank You, and I'll be back. No pun interned.

[@psychedfornature4366]

I am so glad you got a lot out of it! Also, I chose to read the last part in my head as “owl be back”

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

Excellent information! Thank you for the tips!

[@theianyx6394]

you are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom!! thank you for sharing 💕

[@EmBirdNerd]

My husband and I are going to look for owls for the first time today. Your video was extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@psychedfornature4366]

I am so glad to help! Good luck out there! 🦉

[@tracyrupp4882]

What a great video! Thanks so much for your focus on ethics. My favorite is the Great Horned Owl. Their pellets are so interesting to dissect.

[@1Adventures2]

Wonderful Refreshing and upbeat…. I wish you well with your channel and with growth and development it will pay off, I have visited the aviary center there in Pittsburgh I was incredibly impressed with its program. Thank you for your refreshing presentation again!

[@adameccleston554]

Great video, very insightful. Thank you.

[@guyincogneto8979]

Listen for crows cawing LOUDLY, there's sure to be a raptor of some kind around. That's how I stumbled across my neighborhood owls.

[@Silvanafromchester]

What a fantastic tutorial video. Thank you so much. I had the honour of seeing an owl in a tree close by at our local dog park conservation area. It was a chance sighting and I felt truly honoured. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Cheers from Ontario Canada 🤩

[@jokor0453]

Nice video. Greetz from a Dutch owler. Patience and fortitude and love for Owls is the key for finding them.

[@jeanzaun1057]

13:53 your video is informative on so many levels, with a touch of humor as well. I applaud your efforts and look forward to seeing more videos from you. Keep up the great work!

[@PrinceCity007]

That video was AWESOME. You're a natural.

[@arielle7279]

Thank you so much for all of that helpful information!! 😊🙏🏻🦉The overview of apps was much appreciated ❤

[@johnalessi]

Great production and presentation. You have a talent for this!

[@rshear618]

Really awesome video! Brings me back to high school and dissecting owl pellets!

[@tennesseenana4838]

Excellent video! Very well presented and full of easy to understand information. I've heard the hoo-hoo-hooing of an owl very early in the morning several times. I have woods around my house and will be on the watch for it and remember your guidance about how to do that.

[@OspreyFlyer]

The owls are mostly quiet in summer here in NE Oklahoma but they've really become vocal past few weeks. Had two pair of Great Horned Owls hooting at dawn, in afternoon, and then evening! Then there are the very loud Barred Owls making their presence known lately.

[@brazilnut8898]

What a fantastically informational video

[@173jaSon371]

I got big into birding and nature photography last summer and this was one of the first owling related videos I watched. I've seen and heard countless owls since then(maybe more than I had seen in my entire life up until last year)and this video was one of the biggest aids in doing so! Thanks for making such a well articulated video.

[@psychedfornature4366]

It means more than I can express to know that my video helped you start your birding journey! Thank you so much for this comment and I hope you continue to have amazing experiences. Best of luck!

[@173jaSon371]

@@psychedfornature4366 Of course! I've helped a lot of other people with owling tips since then and have you to thank for getting me started. Looking forward to my first spring migration which I'll be spending roadtripping to the coast of Louisiana!

[@IndianHemlock]

Excellent video, great info about the owls !! Thanks for sharing

[@deenawachs3705]

What a great video! Thank you so much! I'll be watching more of yours.

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

Dude, this was an excellent presentation! Very Proffessional. You are well on your way to being an expert! This is a subject I have been interested in for a long time. Can’t wait to find my first owls in nature. Thanks 🙏

[@JoJoTarz]

I moved from living in a city for most of my life, to upstate NY- and the birds around where I live are plentiful- I recently ID'd a Great Horned Owl that I hear outside my window almost every night for the past couple of weeks. I like how you paired the hawk types with the owl types because I just spotted a red tailed hawk a few days ago in a tree outside my house...thank you for this very informative video! I'm still learning too and enjoying reconnecting to nature!!! I may attempt to try and spot the owl one of these days- for now I love knowing he is close by.

[@jeromeburdine966]

We saw a barred owl around 5:00 pm in our local park about 10 yards into the entry of the woods today!!! We were estatic!!! I was suggesting to my gf to do a hooty call when she randomly looked to the right of us and saw him on a branch, clear as day, about 20 feet away!! He looked at us and amazingly we watched, took pics and videos for a good 40 minutes!! A couple of adults with kids came along and scared him off with all the noise, unfortunately.

[@cherifenton1182]

I love your videos so much! Thank you ❤❤❤😊😊😊 I live In Wisconsin in the middle of nowhere and one time while I was just sitting outside watching the stars between a bunch of trees, a HUGE Great Horned owl flew over me! It was huge and beautiful! And it made no sound at all! He just glided overhead and disappeared into the night like a silent wisp. Something I will never forget. Nature is simply amazing! 🦉

[@kc5479]

Great video! To the point and informative. My favorite is Snowy owl and Short eared owl right now!!

[@stephenhurling]

This was great from start to finish - succinct but lots to learn from, thanks!

[@36janders]

Did not know that about their eye color! Thanks for that. I see hawks frequently in my area, but recently have started to hear a Great Horned Owl on my roof around 3-4 am. I love to hear it up there.

[@avabrenner3327]

I was getting my bags from my car and I heard an owl and not gonna lie it kinda scared me at first and I looked on the top of my house and I saw TWO owls haha. I watched them for a little bit and idk what type they were but it was pretty fascinating!

[@johngoodman4829]

Are you still alive??

[@brazilnut8898]

@@johngoodman4829 F

[@mylord9340]

This was excellently done. Thanks.

[@Letsgoexplore2468]

Very helpful man!!! Me and my better half have been trying to spot owls for a little now and this video nailed it!! Didn't want to comment until success!! We have been doing pretty good now for photo's!! Staying a great distance and only taking photos in the day!! Thanks again for the tips and now a subscriber!!! To many more

[@cameranews]

I had learned a lot from the video , thankss

[@jpotter2860]

You did a great job. We learned a lot thank you so much.

[@MaryM-uy8nh]

Really interesting and helpful info! I love owls and other birds … and other wildlife. Lived on a mountain and it was such a treat to hear and see them.

[@MiguelGomes2023]

What a Nice and informative video, subscribed and waiting for the next video. Cheers

[@HikingWithKathleen]

Really enjoyed your presentation style. You served up some great information on owls. Well done!

[@beachbumblog]

Awesome video man! Really great job on this. Got a new sub :)

[@Skittenmeow]

In Western Australia we have the amazing Boobook owl. They're hilarious and cute, tiny lil fluffy owls with massive ear holes

[@backside6193]

Great video! I appreciate the tips! The great horned owl is on my bucket list of photos to get

[@TheDaantje1234]

Good, informative video. Love to see and hear owls. Also, I applaud you for putting the ethics of calling for birds and respecting space into the video.

[@Elizabeth-arb22]

Thank you for this posting. It's very informative and helpful!

[@ivanezequielerolesmonllor6903]

The smile in your face after seeing that owl, says everything. The joy of discovering a new bird, join all the birders around the world. Nice video, we need videos like this in my country, Argentina. About your question, my favorite owl is Asio clamator. Cheers and never stop enjoying this wonderfull activity. And how we say in my country, abrazo grande!🧉

[@Noah-xf8gj]

Ok holy shit. The beginning of the video is a place I've been going to for almost a decade. That was great. Awesome vid.

[@juliemckenna514]

Thank you for all this great info😊❤️

[@mycompasstv]

Great upload, very informative! Well done!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Don't get a big head but that was excellent. So far I've got a screech owl and great horned on my property in south east South Dakota. I''ve seen long eared and short eared and snowy and barred in my life. I think that's it.

[@MichaelKensinger]

Great video from one birder to another. I’m also in PA - about two hours east in Altoona. Bird conservation is a huge passion of mine. I’ve been trying to pinpoint some local short eared owls this winter but I only seem to catch a glimpse. Crossing fingers I can see one this week. I’d say my favorite owl is the Barred Owl. It’s the owl I see and hear most, and it has such a ghostly look.

[@tommyosuccess7919]

wow what a great report, keep up the great work!

[@goingwalkaboutnow]

You have done an outstanding job with this video. Thank you, I love owls, nice to know I might be able to finally find them.

[@cmcoreas]

Great stuff! Thanks for the tips! I can''t wait to hit the trails.

[@user-kx9ym3dk2e]

Congrats on blowing up!!

[@cameronempey8350]

I love seeing owls 🦉 I just saw a barn owl in Henderson nv a few days ago!

[@minniemousesvideos]

I'm from Erie, PA and was so pleasantly surprised that so much of the video was related to PA and Western PA to be specific!! Super helpful! I haven't seen an owl in over 2 years, and that was from a far. Last time i saw a owl relatively close was about a decade ago on Presque Isle, it was a barn owl too! 😊💜

[@paullee2561]

I enjoyed your video very much, a few good tips. Thankyou! A couple of my favorite owls here in Australia are the Powerful Owl and the Barking Owl. Cheers.

[@Drummer95186]

I really appreciate this video and I am so glad I came across it. I learned to much about owls, I want to go out and photograph these beautiful creatures, I just feel so drawn to them. it's hard to explain. I really hope I come across them and capture beautiful photos of them being in their natural habitat

[@wilsonmccourtney]

You're amazing. Keep it up. Spent 20 mins filming a barred owl 3 days ago in Portland ME. I love owls. Spending time with them is so magical. Thanks for sharing your tips. My favorite encounters so far have been with great horned although I'm dying to find snowy owls now that I'm in Maine. Please make videos about how to find the more obscure like snowy, screech, and barn.

[@ticoalochancho]

Great video! Wonderful information and great presentation. Thanks!!! That squirrel moan is an eye opener for me.

[@jonhonchul5128]

I have heard the squirrel moan just to indicate ANY possible perceived threat. Not just an owl. Could be hawk, human, dog, snake, etc

[@hav1ngfunn0w]

I just wanted to say thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable, interesting , informative and exciting video. I appreciate the reference to Cornell Lab of Ornithology and others. Looking forward to finding owls here in Southern Oregon and sharing with others.

[@shovelrocker7102]

Excellent video! Thank you, and greetings from Finland.

[@kd5933]

Great video, really useful information & especially like the discussion of ethics!

[@rlclark5195]

Awesome info, Thank You. Great job

[@justayoutuber1906]

Great horned owls have mating calls in the late autumn early winter. The sound awesome!

[@richardburke583]

Great attitude and information.

[@Maffong]

What a great video! I've been thinking a lot about doing similar videos, but definitely wouldn't have reached the quality of this. Very insightful, thoughtful and extremely well-presented information. The only thing one could have added would be some more examples for where to search for specific species.

[@robertfindley921]

Nice job! Excellent video full of logically arranged information and well presented. Owls are absolutely amazing animals. I encourage your viewers to learn about their incredible anatomy honed for hunting better than a shark in my view.

[@MandyMichels]

What a great video! Very professional, educational, and clear. Thank you for this 🙂

[@delmonicofarquhar9893]

Great video-- and you did a wonderful job on every aspect of it. My wife and I are looking for saw-whets and recently met, in Texas, someone associated with Powdermill Nature Reserve's saw-whet banding program. We're hopeful that we can visit one day (or night) to witness that.

[@kareemcclean3094]

Great information! Thank you !