Owls

The great horned owl has a deep stuttering call that sounds similar to "ho hoo hoo hoododo hooo ho."

NPS photo.

There are four species of owls documented within Glacier, but their nocturnal nature may make it difficult to hear or see one of them while visiting. Look and listen for the following species.

• Northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula) – its call is similar to a kestrel with a whistling “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki.”
• Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) – its deep stuttering call is a series of “ho hoo hoo hoododo hooooo hoo.”
• Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) – its call is deep and resonating with a series of low-pitched “hoos” that last six to eight seconds with 30-second gaps.
• Barred owl (Strix varia) – its distinctive staccato call sounds similar to “Who cooks for you?”

Details

Activity

Birdwatching

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Forests

Different subspecies of owls prefer different specific habitats, but most can be found in forests or forest openings.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Night, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility Information

In addition to driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road and other park roads, the Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, and the Trail of the Cedars are three of Glacier’s most accessible areas.

Improvements in accessibility are being made each year, and with a bit of pre-planning, all visitors can find Glacier to be a rewarding experience. Details on Glacier's accessible facilities and services can be found on the park's website nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.