The Florida Keys are a chain of tropical islands off the southern coast of Florida, known for their beaches, coral reefs, water sports and laid-back island vibes. The islands stretch over 200 miles from Key Largo down to Key West. Given the Keys’ subtropical climate and variety of habitats, a diverse array of birds can be found here throughout the year. Owls are among the bird species that inhabit or visit the Florida Keys.
In the opening paragraphs, to quickly answer the title question – yes, there are owls that live in or visit the Florida Keys. At least five species of owls have been spotted in the Keys, some as year-round residents and others as seasonal migrants or occasional visitors. The owl species found in the Florida Keys include:
Year-Round Residents
– Burrowing Owl
– Eastern Screech Owl
Seasonal/Occasional Visitors
– Barn Owl
– Great Horned Owl
– Short-eared Owl
Some key facts about owls in the Florida Keys:
– The Burrowing Owl is the most common and widespread owl in the Keys, found year-round.
– The Eastern Screech Owl is also a year-round resident, but more localized.
– Other owl species are seasonal or occasional visitors, not breeding in the Keys.
– The best areas to spot owls are wildlife refuges, nature preserves and sparsely developed areas.
– Owls play an important role as nocturnal predators, helping control rodent and insect populations.
Now let’s take a closer look at each of the owl species found in the Florida Keys and what makes this island chain well-suited as owl habitat.
Year-Round Owl Residents
The two owl species known to be year-round residents and breeding birds in the Florida Keys are the Burrowing Owl and Eastern Screech Owl.
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl is a small, long-legged owl found in open, treeless areas throughout Florida, including the Keys. As their name implies, Burrowing Owls nest and roost in burrows, often those dug by other animals like prairie dogs or tortoises. They are well-adapted to the habitat found in the Florida Keys.
Some key facts about Burrowing Owls in the Keys:
– Found year-round throughout the Keys, often near airports, golf courses, and vacant lots.
– Nests in shallow burrows dug into the soft soil. Old burrows made by Yellow-crowned Night Herons are also used.
– Feeds mainly on large insects, small rodents, amphibians and reptiles.
– Most active at dusk and dawn.
– Populations have declined in South Florida due to habitat loss. Classified as a State Threatened species.
The best places to spot Burrowing Owls in the Keys are at wildlife refuges like National Key Deer Refuge, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. They can also sometimes be spotted along roadside edges or vacant lots. Always view burrowing owls from a distance and do not approach nests.
Eastern Screech Owl
The Eastern Screech Owl is a short, stocky owl found throughout wooded areas of eastern North America. In the Keys, they occur in hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands and backyards.
Here are some key facts about Eastern Screech Owls in the Florida Keys:
– Found year-round, but very localized in hardwood hammocks and pine forests.
– Roosts and nests in tree cavities and old woodpecker holes.
– Feeds on small rodents, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians.
– Nocturnal hunter, well camouflaged against tree bark.
– Distinctive call is a whinny, trill or bouncing-ball whistle.
– State endangered species in Florida.
Screech Owls are difficult to spot due to their camouflage and small size. The best chance to find them is around dawn or dusk when they are most actively hunting. Listen for their distinctive nighttime calls. Some locations to search are Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Curry Hammock State Park, and pine rockland forests on Big Pine Key.
Seasonal and Occasional Owl Visitors
In addition to the year-round resident owl species, at least three other types of owls have been documented in the Florida Keys, but do not normally breed there. These are considered seasonal visitors, migrating through the Keys, or occasional stray visitors.
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is found worldwide across temperate and tropical regions. In Florida they occur year-round in the northern part of the state but are less common in the Keys.
Key facts about Barn Owls in the Florida Keys:
– Primarily a winter visitor, most sightings are October to March.
– Sometimes breeds in the Upper and Middle Keys. Nests in cavities in buildings, trees and nest boxes.
– Hunts over open habitats like grasslands, marshes and agricultural fields.
– Feeds mainly on small rodents, also takes birds, bats and large insects.
– Nocturnal hunter, locates prey by sound. Heart-shaped face collects sound waves.
The best chance to see wintering Barn Owls in the Keys is around dusk hunting over open fields and marshlands. Listen for their eerie, raspy scream call at night. Key Largo and Tavernier are areas where they are occasionally reported.
Great Horned Owl
The large and powerful Great Horned Owl inhabits wooded areas across North and Central America. They are year-round residents in mainland Florida but are less common in the Keys.
Facts about Great Horned Owls in the Florida Keys:
– Primarily a winter visitor, October through March.
– Sometimes breeds in hardwood hammocks and pine forests.
– Hunts from perches in trees, grabs prey with strong talons. Takes birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
– Distinctive low hooting call, can sound like “Who’s awake? Me too.”
– Nest is a large platform of sticks high in a tree cavity.
This powerful owl is most likely to be heard calling around dawn or dusk in wooded areas. Spotting them camouflaged high in a tree can be difficult. Reports are scattered throughout the Keys during winter months.
Short-eared Owl
The Short-eared Owl is found across North America and Eurasia, favoring open country. In Florida they are rare visitors, mainly during the winter months.
Here are some brief facts about Short-eared Owls in the Keys:
– Rare winter visitor from November to March.
– Found in open areas like grasslands, marshes and agricultural fields.
– Nests on the ground in dense vegetation. Does not breed in Florida.
– Hunts low over terrain, mainly eats small mammals and birds.
– Most active at dawn and dusk. Bouyant, floppy wingbeats.
There are very few documented sightings of Short-eared Owls in the Keys, but they likely pass through the region in small numbers during migration periods. The best spots to catch a glimpse would be large open tracts of land. Always view birds from a safe distance if observed.
Habitat and Behavior
The Florida Keys provide suitable year-round and seasonal habitat for owls due to the combination of tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, freshwater wetlands and human-altered environments.
Some key aspects of owl habitat in the Keys:
– Tropical hardwood hammocks provide nesting and roosting sites for Eastern Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls. Old tree cavities are used.
– Open pine forests, scrublands and grassy areas provide hunting grounds for owls like Barn Owls and Short-eared Owls. Burrowing Owls also nest in open areas.
– Wetlands, like freshwater and saltwater marshes, provide food sources like small rodents, fish, crabs and insects for owls.
– Human-altered settings can benefit owls, if open land or structures that mimic roost/nest cavities are available, like old buildings or nest boxes.
– Mangrove forests along shorelines may provide food sources but dense vegetation limits owl hunting.
– Offshore islands and keys with less development offer more undisturbed habitat.
As far as behavior, all owl species are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular hunters, meaning they are most active at night or around dawn/dusk. This helps avoid overheating in the subtropical climate of the Keys. Owls use keen eyesight and hearing to locate prey in low light. Camouflage plumage helps them blend into tree bark and vegetation. Calls are often exchanged at night during breeding season. Owls play an important role controlling populations of small mammals, insects, and other birds.
Best Places to Spot Owls
When it comes to finding owls in the Florida Keys, your best chances are going to be in protected wildlife areas, reserves and parks, less developed keys, and areas with pine forests or wooded hammocks. Here are some of the top sites:
National Key Deer Refuge
This refuge protects over 9,000 acres of habitat on Big Pine Key and neighboring keys. It provides the best opportunity to spot the small Burrowing Owl as well as Eastern Screech Owls and wintering Great Horned Owls.
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Comprising over 200,000 acres spanning the lower Keys, this refuge protects coastal and interior habitat. Burrowing Owls may be spotted at the visitor center or along roadsides.
Curry Hammock State Park
This park on Marathon Key manages 285 acres of hardwood hammocks and freshwater marshes, providing potential habitat for Screech Owls and wintering migrants.
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
Over 2,400 acres of tropical hardwood hammock support breeding Screech Owls and wintering migrants like the Great Horned Owl.
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Wetlands, pine forest and developed areas on Key Largo host year-round Burrowing Owls. Winter migrants may also pass through. Limited public access.
Remote Keys
Less developed upper and lower Keys have areas of natural habitat where owls may reside away from human activity, like Little Pine Key or Sugarloaf Key.
Away from protected areas, look for open lots, grassy fields, pine forests, mangrove shorelines, and wooded neighborhoods as potential owl habitat. The nocturnal nature of owls make them challenging to spot, so focus efforts around dawn and dusk and listen for nighttime vocalizations. Avoid disturbing potential nest sites. With a little persistence, birders can be rewarded by a glimpse of these mysterious raptors that call the Florida Keys their home.
Threats and Conservation
While a number of owl species utilize habitat in the Florida Keys successfully, some face conservation threats in the region and statewide:
– Habitat loss – Development, urbanization, and habitat destruction throughout Florida has caused declines in owl populations, especially the small Burrowing Owl. Their open grassland homes have dwindled.
– Predators – Raccoons, cats, and invasive reptiles raid owl nests. Predation accounts for much of Burrowing Owl mortality.
– Vehicle collisions – Owls hunting near roadsides are vulnerable. Education on reducing speed limits can help.
– Human disturbance – Nesting owls are sensitive to disruptions. Care is needed when observing them.
– Climate change – Rising sea levels may shrink habitat for some owl species in the Keys long-term.
Some conservation steps to help protect Florida’s owls include:
– Preserving tracts of natural, open habitat in state/federal protected areas.
– Maintaining woodland areas and clean tree cavities for roosting/nesting.
– Setting up nest boxes to supplement natural sites.
– Enforcing leash laws/cat licensing to reduce predation.
– Implementing wildlife-friendly practices on developed land.
– Educating the public on respecting owls and their habitat.
– Continuing research on owls to track populations over time.
With some thoughtful conservation measures, the Florida Keys can continue providing sanctuary for its rare and fascinating owl inhabitants that are an iconic part of the region’s biodiversity. While owl species each have unique habitat needs, protecting their shared ecosystems underpins the future survival of these raptors in the Keys.
Conclusion
In summary, at least five species of owls have been documented living in or visiting the Florida Keys, including two year-round breeding residents – the Burrowing Owl and Eastern Screech Owl. The other species – Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Short-eared Owl – are generally seasonal winter visitors or occasional migrants passing through the islands. Sightings are most likely in natural areas with open pine forest, tropical hammocks and wetland habitat. While facing some conservation threats, owls are a valued part of the diversity of life inhabiting the Florida Keys. Continued preservation of natural areas in the Keys will be important for maintaining suitable owl habitat amid future development and climate pressures. With care, these mysterious raptors will continue calling and flying under the cover of night across this unique island chain.
