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How to Attract Owls to Your Backyard

Owls are not the usual backyard birds, but they are a lot of fun to look at and watch and listen to their voices in nature. Here is the preparation every birder will need to learn how to attract owls to the yard regularly.


Why We Love Owls


Owls are some of the raptors most loved. They are great hunters and can control the populations of squirrels and rodents. The owls will live along with other birds in the backyard. These birds are cheap to attract and they don't consume bird seed.


More than 200 owl species are found worldwide, but only a handful are secure for backyard species. The most frequent backyard owls are:


  • Barn owl
  • Barred owl
  • Eastern screech-owl
  • Great horned owl
  • Western screech-owl

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How to Attract Owls


The key to attracting owls, like any other bird, is to fulfill their specific needs.


  • Food. Birders that have mice in the area are more likely to attract owls. The uncut grass would make the yard more mouse-friendly by adding a bunch of grass and leave seed on the surface. To avoid mice or other prey from using poisons or traps and let owls take care of the problem. Stop using pesticides or traps to kill mice or other prey, and let the owls take care of the problem.
  • Water. Owls get the largest portion of the fluid from the prey they are eating in their meals. However, in hotter climates and during the summer, owls can frequent slightly larger, deeper bird baths to drink or bathe. Providing this sort of water supply to a quiet, secluded environment is more likely to attract owls to come.
  • Shelter. Owls need to roost throughout the day on very thick, old trees with good stumps. Coniferous and leafy trees are both ideal if the scale is good. Equally good replacements to the natural shelter are empty nest cases.
  • Nesting Sites. Hollow trees are the preferred breeding sites of most owls. Barn owls may also be used for breeding by abandoned houses. The owls' nest boxes should be set up by January or February. Boxes should be checked to be kept clear of wasps, squirrels, rats, raccoons, or other birds.

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Creating an Owl-Friendly Environment


there are additional steps that can help make the yard even more appealing and owl-friendly:


  • Leave large, bare branches and dead trees intact as much as possible to provide perch and owl hunting spots.
  • Build a rustic, natural backyard habitat with little pruning or maintenance where owls may feel more relaxed, particularly for nesting or roosting.
  • Stop intense outdoor lights, such as lit water features, floodlights, or spotlights, including motion sensors. Owls hunt more easily in the dark and do not visit well-lit yards.
  • Hold dogs inside until sunset and through the night. It will keep the pets away from hunting owls and keep the pets from frightening the mice and other rodents that the owls will kill.
  • Take measures to avoid a bird-window from colliding with wide windows that may pose a threat to owl hunting.


With practice and proper preparation, you can these tips on how to attract owls in your backyard.