One of the more difficult-to-find species on Long Island, or really most places, are Owls. Because of their nocturnal habits and our inability to see well in the dark, most of us only get to hear a muffled call on occasion

There are several species that live on Long Island year-round and we frequently have northern visitors during the winter months. Because they are exciting birds to see, many birding groups ban the listing of locations to prevent birds from being harassed.

Owl viewing protocol is not to disturb or come close. That means stay as far away as possible, be quiet and leave once you have taken a look – and No getting up close to take a cell phone photo.

Owls share certain characteristics. They eat their prey whole and about 8 hours later regurgitate a pellet of hair, bones and any other indigestible bits.

Their eyes are fixed so to look around, their heads can turn an amazing 270 degrees. They have hooked bills and impressive talons. They don’t have the stiff primary wing feathers of most birds; their coat of fluffy down-like feathers allows them to fly silently.

Our most common owls are the large and the small; Great Horned Owls and Screech Owls.

The Great Horned is one of the larger owls with a wingspan of 4 and a half feet, but they are mostly feathers with a weight of about 3-4 pounds.

Like many birds of prey, the female is larger than the male.

They are found throughout North America up to the tundra and in Central and South America. They are not migratory. They eat a wide range of prey including birds, small mammals, and reptiles. This is what allows them to succeed in such a range of habitats. Their “horns” are feathered tufts.

Like most owls, their ears are placed asymmetrically on their heads, allowing them to triangulate sounds.

At this time of year they begin to look for mates or reestablish bonds with a mate. They can be heard calling at night, often dueting. They will find a place to nest in January or February.

They don’t build nests but will use nests built by other large birds like Osprey and Red-tailed Hawks, tree cavities or even a tree crotch. Like most larger birds, the chicks take time to fledge and then stay with their parents while they learn to hunt.

Eastern Screech Owls are tiny 8,” 6-ounce fierce bundles of fluff. They are not as widespread as other species, being confined to the woodlands of the eastern U.S.

They nest and roost in tree hollows and other cavities. They are a bit misnamed as their call is a high whinny, not the truly terrifying shriek of their cousin, the Barn Owl.

The Barn Owls are found worldwide in the US and South America, Europe, parts of Africa, India and Australia. They are in a family separate from other owls, with a heart-shaped face and lack of “ear” tufts. Providing nesting boxes to replace the tree cavities they need for nesting has helped the population.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is smaller, shyer and rarer than the Screech. It prefers dense pine woods. Like other small owls, they will eat insects as well as small mammals like mice and voles.

Winter visitors include Long-eared, Short-eared and Snowy owls. All three are found throughout the northern hemisphere, hunting over open grasslands and tundra.

While the Snowy and Short-eared prefer open tundra and grasslands, often nesting on the ground, the Long-eared prefers to nest in the pines and spruces of the boreal forests but to hunt over open grasslands.

All Owls are declining in population, mostly due to loss of habitat. They are also seriously threatened by the use of rodenticides.

All owls eat rats, mice, voles and other small mammals and one that is dying from poison is easy prey. Being at the top of the food chain, the poisons can quickly build up in their systems leading to a painful death. Physical traps are preferable to poisons.

I’ve had not too close encounters with most of these owls on Long Island, and it’s an inspiring experience.

Last week we heard a pair of Great Horned Owls calling to each other in our backyard. A golden short-eared owl floating over the marsh grasses at sunset. A tiny Screech owl peeking out of a hole in a tree.

A magnificent Snowy perched on a sand dune. Each encounter is unexpected and special and makes me appreciate the amazing beauty to be found right at home.