# Why Owls Nest Early in Winter

> Owls start nesting in winter to keep young with parents longer than songbirds.
- Title: Why Owls Nest Early in Winter · Birds and Blooms | Shortify
- Summary: Owls start nesting in winter to keep young with parents longer than songbirds. Owls nest early in winter because their young stay with parents for months…
- Keywords: great horned owl, barred owl, barn owl, screech owl, owl nesting, winter nesting, owl young, Owls, Nest, Early, Winter, Birds and Blooms
- Source: Birds and Blooms — https://birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/bird-nesting/owl-nest
- Author: Kaitlin Stainbrook
- Published: 2026-10-16T17:21:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: great horned owl, barred owl, barn owl, screech owl, owl nesting, winter nesting, owl young
## Owls Nest in Winter
Many owl species choose nest sites in winter instead of waiting for spring.
## Why Owls Nest Early
Owls start nesting in January, with great horned owls sometimes beginning as early as December.
## Long Parental Care
Owls keep young with parents for months, unlike songbirds that leave after two weeks.
## Owl Young Stay Close
Young owls stay near nests to learn flying and hunting, with feet strong but wings weak.
## Owls Use Natural Nests
Most owl species reuse tree cavities or owl nest boxes for protection from cold.
## Great Horned Owls
Great horned owls use nests built by other birds, adding soft materials like feathers.
## Barred Owls
Barred owls reuse tree cavities, sometimes selecting sites up to a year in advance.
## Barn Owls
Barn owls use human structures like barns and bridges, often having multiple broods per year.
## Screech Owls
Screech owls use tree cavities or nest boxes, with eastern species adapting to human spaces.
## Key takeaway

Owls nest early in winter because their young stay with parents for months, unlike songbirds.