Owls are fascinating creatures, but they aren’t known for interacting well with humans.
Whether you want them around to admire their beauty or as a way to control pest populations, you’ll need to learn how to attract owls. These birds will surely add a touch of mystery and wonder in your life, so let’s take a look at how.
7 Ways to Attract Owls
Let’s take a look at the various ways you can lure owls to your space without harming them. These are relatively simple tips that you can easily apply with no special skills.
Create a Suitable Habitat
If you want them to feel comfortable around your land, you should make it feel like home to them. Remember that owls need a specific environment to thrive, and they will naturally fly towards it.
Provide Shelter
Owls require safe and secure places to roost and nest. You can install owl nesting boxes or leave natural roosting sites like hollow trees or dense vegetation. Nesting boxes should be placed in a quiet and secluded area, away from human activity.
Leave Dead Trees or Snags
You’ll want to give the owls a variety of places to explore. That’s why it’s a good idea to leave dead trees or snags for the owls. These serve as perching and nesting sites for them.
Owls will use the cavities in and crevices in dead trees for shelter and protection. You may think that snags (dead or dying trees still standing upright) are an eyesore, but they are an essential part of an owl’s habitat.
Maintain Open Spaces
Owls need open areas to hunt for prey. Lawns, fields, or meadows provide ideal hunting grounds for them.
If you want owls to come to your property, avoid planting dense vegetation that may obstruct their view. Dense vegetation will make it difficult for owls to catch their prey, as they prefer open spaces.
Offer Food Sources
If you’ve ever tried to get rid of pests, you know that they gravitate towards food sources. The same applies to any other animal, even owls.
So make sure your property is an abundant source of food for owls, and you’ll attract them.
Encourage Small Prey Populations
Owls primarily feed on small animals like mice, voles, and insects. To attract owls, you need to encourage a healthy population of these prey species. You can attract small prey by providing cover and food sources for them.
For example, planting a more natural environment with native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs is a good idea. This creates a diverse habitat that will attract the prey animals and, in turn, owls.
Avoid Pesticides
Pesticides can have a devastating impact on the food chain. By avoiding pesticides, you can help maintain a healthy population of small prey species that owls rely on for food.
Supplemental Feeding
In some cases, you may consider providing supplemental food for owls. Small rodents are an excellent choice for this. However, I must say that you should take this route with caution and ask for guidance from wildlife experts in your area.
Overfeeding owls can cause health problems and even lead them to be dependent on human-provided food.
Create Water Sources
As with any other living thing, water is essential for an owl’s survival. They need it for drinking and bathing, so ensuring that you have appropriate water sources on your property is a must.
Provide Fresh Water
You can get a birdbath or a small pond as a suitable water source to attract owls. Make sure that the water is clean and free of contaminants because you don’t want to harm the owls.
Also, unclean water may not appeal to owls if there is a better source of fresh water nearby.
Keep Water Clean and Accessible
Remember that standing water gets stagnant very fast, so it’s important to keep the water moving to ensure it’s clean and safe.
You might also consider how the owls will get to the water. A shallow, sloping edge will make it easier for owls to access the water.
Consider adding a small fountain or bubbler to keep the water moving. This will also prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water.
Install Owl Boxes
Owl boxes can provide a safe and secure nesting site for owls. Consider installing them to supplement natural nesting sites. Here are some guidelines for installing owl boxes:
Placement and Size
Place owl boxes in a quiet, secluded area, away from human activity and potential predators. The height of the box should be at least 10 feet above the ground to deter predators. The size of the box will depend on the owl species you want to attract.
Types of Owl Boxes
Owl boxes can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. The most important factors to consider when choosing an owl box are the size, location, and design.
Boxes should be large enough for the owl to enter and exit easily, and they should be placed in a quiet, secluded area.
The design of an owl box can be tailored to attract specific owl species. For example, barn owls prefer boxes that are mounted on poles or buildings, with a simple entrance hole and a large interior.
Screech owls, on the other hand, prefer boxes that are smaller and have a more complex entrance hole, such as a T-shaped opening.
Other owl species, such as great horned owls, may require even larger boxes with multiple entrance holes.
Create a Quiet Environment
Because owls have such sensitive hearing, they prefer quiet, undisturbed areas.
Reduce Noise Pollution
Avoid loud noises that can disturb owls, such as excessive lawn mowing or loud parties. Consider planting trees and shrubs to create a natural sound barrier.
Minimize Bright Lights
Excessive artificial lighting can disrupt owls’ natural hunting and sleeping patterns. Use low-wattage bulbs and consider using motion-activated lights to minimize light pollution.
Plant Native Vegetation
Native plants provide a natural habitat for owls and their prey. By planting native vegetation, you can support the local ecosystem and create a more inviting environment for owls.
Encourage a Natural Ecosystem
Native plants play a crucial role in supporting the local food web. By providing food and shelter for insects, small mammals, and other prey species, native plants indirectly benefit owls.
These prey species can then serve as a food source for owls. The plants themselves can provide hiding places and hunting opportunities.
Include a Mix of Trees and Shrubs
To attract owls, it is important to provide a variety of trees and shrubs that can support their habitat and food source. Some examples of trees that owls prefer include oaks, pines, and maples.
Shrubs such as sumac, elderberry, and hawthorn can also be beneficial. These plants can provide shelter, nesting sites, and food for insects and small mammals, which are important prey items for owls.
Reduce Competition from Other Wildlife
Owls may be deterred by the presence of other wildlife, especially larger birds of prey or aggressive animals.
Limit Predator Presence
To minimize competition from other birds of prey or larger animals, it is important to take steps to discourage their presence. This can include removing potential nesting sites for other birds of prey.
Additionally, fencing or other barriers can be used to deter larger animals, such as raccoons or opossums, from accessing the owl’s habitat.
Remove Unwanted Species
Controlling certain wildlife species can help attract owls by reducing competition for resources and improving the overall habitat.
For instance, squirrels can be a significant source of competition for nesting sites and food, particularly in urban areas. Similarly, invasive bird species can outcompete native birds for food and nesting sites.
Final Thoughts
Attracting owls to your property can be a rewarding experience, as these fascinating creatures add a touch of mystery and wonder to your surroundings.
By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create a suitable habitat and encourage owls to visit your land.
