Yosemite's Great Gray Owl - Yosemite National Park!

Yosemite National Park is home to many outstanding wildlife species, from darting fishers to handsome blacktail bucks. One of the most striking is the Yosemite's great grey owl—that big, wraithlike bird of the park’s higher forests and glades.

Introducing the Great Gray Owl

Yosemite's Great gray owls, which range across northern North America and Eurasia, are physically impressive birds: They’re America’s tallest owl—from head to tail they may be two feet— although not the heaviest (an honor roughly shared by the great horned and snowy owls). With a little basic knowledge, you’ll discover they’re unmistakable if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one. The only other owl native to Yosemite that approaches the great gray in size is the fiercer, feistier great horned owl, which can easily be distinguished from its longer, lighter cousin: Great horned owls have feathery “ear” tufts—the “horns”—while great grays have smooth, tuft-less heads; furthermore, horned owls have larger eyes in proportion to their heads, and bigger talons. Yosemite plays home to most of California’s Yosemite's great gray owls, and recent genetic investigation suggests these Sierra Nevada birds are their own distinct subspecies: They’ve been isolated long enough from other owl populations—in the Cascade Range and Rocky Mountains, for example—to show unique genetic and behavioral traits. This makes Yosemite’s great grays all the more valuable. We tend to think of owls as nighttime phantoms, out and about only when it’s pitch-black. Great gray owls, however, may be active during the day, as well, especially in more far-flung areas. They feed predominantly on rodents like voles and mice, swooping down upon their prey on nearly silent wings and dispatching it with talons and beak. They commonly forage in mountain meadows ringed by conifer forest. During the breeding season, great grey owls in Yosemite stick mostly to higher elevation fir and lodgepole-pine woods; in winter, they descend below the heavy snowpack to frequent the park’s mid-elevation mixed-conifer forests.

Tips for Viewing

Most visitors to Yosemite don’t spend much time in the high woods favored by the great gray owl, but if you know where to look and exhibit a little patience, you may come away with a glimpse of these big, soft-winged phantoms. Crane Flat is one spot where, particularly in the early morning or evening, you may be able to see great gray owls on the hunt. They’ve occasionally been spotted along the Wawona Golf Course, perched in some of the big pines fringing the green. If you’re hiking in mid- to upper-elevation woods in Yosemite, stop frequently and scan the surrounding trees: You’ll need sharp eyes and a good dose of luck to spy a perched owl, but it’s always possible. Remember, the intersections of deep woods and open meadows are prime owl hunting sites, so key into these so-called “edge zones.” In addition to the Crane Flat area, you might consider hiking to McGurk Meadow off the Glacier Point Road, another owl activity hotspot. It’s always a fruitful idea to ask park staff about where to go to see wildlife like great gray owls. For one thing, you may be able to learn about the most up-to-date sightings; sometimes a particular owl may frequent the same spot for a stretch of time, greatly boosting your chances of a sighting. Never approach a great gray owl closely, or do anything else that might disturb its natural patterns of behavior. Stressing out these magnificent birds taxes their energy and may keep them from visiting their nest or procuring food. A set of binoculars or a spotting scope will help bring a glimpsed owl into better view without invading its personal space.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go skiing or snowshoeing in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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