HOO WANTS TO LEARN ABOUT OWLS?
By Donatella Mudica | Assistant Naturalist Owls are a lot more than a symbol of Halloween!
As summer nights cool and grow longer, the season of autumn takes over our landscape. Wildlife typically uses this period to prepare for the challenges of winter, but hidden among the changing leaves are captivating animals that become more active as the cold sets in.
The haunting calls of owls drifting through the cool autumn air remind us that every season provides opportunity for wildlife. While Indiana has resident owls that live here year-round, the longer nights and cooler temperatures of fall provide some of the best chances to hear and see these elusive birds. A distant hoot or quiet shadow at dusk reminds us that there is more happening in the forest and around us than we realize.
Owls have captivated humanity for centuries with silent flight, distinctive calls, and impressive hunting capabilities. Here in Indiana, we have four resident owl species: the Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, and the American Barn Owl. We also host migratory owls that pass through Indiana seasonally, including Northern Saw-whet Owls, Shorteared Owls, Long-eared Owls, and Snowy Owls. These migratory species stop in Indiana on their seasonal paths and may be encountered during autumn.
Autumn is the optimal season for hearing and viewing owls. Shorter days and longer nights give these nocturnal predators extended hunting hours. As fallen leaves dry and blanket the forest floor, the rustling movements of small mammals become more obvious and easier for owls to detect. With their remarkable hearing and exceptional eyesight, owls can locate a small mouse from up to half a mile away.
Every part of an owl’ s anatomy is adapted for silent, efficient hunting. Their fringed feathers reduce turbulence and allow for silent flight, even during high-speed dives that can reach more than 100 mph.
Their most notable adaptations, however, are their visual and auditory systems. Owls have large, tube-shaped eyes that are fixed in place, which enhance light gathering and binocular vision. To compensate for their immobile eyes, owls can rotate their head up to 270 degrees without moving their bodies.
Their asymmetrical ears, placed at separate heights and angles, allow them to pinpoint a sound’ s direction and distance with extraordinary accuracy. Many species also have facial disks that pick up and funnel sound toward their ears, functioning as a satellite dish and amplifying sounds.
Beyond being optimal for hunting, autumn also marks the beginning of breeding periods for many owls. Among birders, fall is often called“ hooting season” since owls become especially active, vocal, and territorial. During this time, many owls establish territories and initiate courtship. Young owls begin to disperse from their birthplaces to establish pair bonds, while adults defend territories and habitats for the upcoming mating season.
Barn Owl. Photo by Danny Moore
Although spring is commonly associated with bird breeding, many large raptors begin mating in the fall or winter, so their chicks hatch when prey becomes abundant in early spring. For nesting, owls do not build their own nests, instead they often repurpose natural cavities, woodpeckermade tree holes, or abandoned nests built by other large birds. Typically, they lay 2-3 white, perfectly spherical eggs each season with their life-long pair.
Beyond their impressive hunting abilities, owls play a critical role in maintaining Indiana’ s ecosystem health. Since their diet is dominated by rodents and small animals, owls help regulate prey populations and contribute to ecological balance. Think of owls as“ nature’ s pest control”, indirectly protecting crops, preventing property damage, and reducing the spread of disease without the reliance of chemical pesticides and rodenticides. A single owl family can consume thousands of rodents in one breeding season, preventing prey population explosions that can degrade habitat.
Owls are sensitive to environmental change, making them excellent bioindicators of habitat and land quality. Areas with healthy owl populations often reflect balanced, thriving ecosystems.
As you explore nature this autumn, pause, and take a moment to listen at dusk. Watch the sun settle low on the horizon and tune your ears to the sound of the season. The leaves rustling, the wind whistling through the trees, and if you’ re fortunate, the deep hoot of a Great Horned Owl or the eerie whinny of an Eastern Screech-Owl.
Fall 2026 • 21