The Barred Owl: The Vocal Storyteller of the Forest
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Owls
-
Habitat
Forests -
Food
Rodents -
House
Tree -
Conservation
Low
Key Takeaway
If you have ever wandered through a quiet forest at dusk and heard a haunting call that sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” You heard the Barred Owl. With its soulful dark eyes, mottled brown-and-white plumage, and one of the most recognizable voices in the bird world, the Barred Owl is a resident of North America’s forests.
What are identification tips for Barred Owls?
The Barred Owl is medium-to-large. While mostly nocturnal or crepuscular (active during dawn and evening hours), they can occasionally be seen hunting during the day. Here is what to look for:
Barred Plumage: Barred Owls range from the most common brown-and-white feathers to dark grey-and-white feathers. With vertical barring across their stomach.
Dark Brown Eyes: The eyes of a Barred Owl can look almost black in the daylight. This is a unique trait. Most owls in the United States have yellow eyes.
Dull Yellow Beak And Feet: Barred Owls have a strong, sharp beak to eat prey and feathered legs leading to sharp talons for catching prey and climbing trees.
Silent Flight: Like other owls, Barred Owls fly silently because of three feather adaptations – serrated leading edges on the front of the owl’s wing to cut through the air, a velvety upper surface that works as a dampener absorbing friction, and fringed trailing edges on the back edge of the wing to smooth out turbulence. They have wide/broad wings for less flapping and slow flight speeds.
Are there similar species or look-alikes to Barred Owls?
Forests in North America are home to many owls, but a few field marks will help you distinguish the Barred Owl:
The Key Differences To Look For
Spotted Owl: Less aggressive, this owl is threatened. The feathers on the stomach of the Spotted Owl are spotted. It is slightly smaller and slighter. It only lives in western North America.
Great Horned Owl: Both are larger owls that “hoot.” The Great Horned Owl has feathered tufts or horns, is bulkier, and has yellow eyes. Great Horned Owls are natural predators of Barred Owls and have larger territories (forest, desert, and fields.
American Barn Owl: Has a white, ghostly face in a heart-shaped disc. This owl also has dark eyes. Barn Owls prefer open grasslands and farmlands and can sometimes be found living in barns and other man-made structures.
Great Gray Owl: The tallest owl in North America. Both have round heads, but the Great Gray Owl is much larger, with huge facial discs and thick, fluffy plumage. This owl prefers bogs, coniferous and boreal forests.
Where are Barred Owls found?
Barred owls appreciate mature forests, especially near water:
Old-Growth Mature Woods
Proximity To Swamps, Streams, and Lakes
They favor areas where they can find abundant rodents and sometimes fish or crawdads while nesting in large tree cavities or platform nests built by other birds.
How do Barred Owls hunt and forage?
Watch a Barred Owl hunt, and you will see the art of observation in motion. These birds:
Feeding Times: Nocturnal hunters for the most part, but commonly active during dawn and dusk. They can also be found hunting during daylight hours when they need to.
Hunting Techniques: Perch and wait; you’ll commonly see Barred Owls sitting in trees 10 to 12 feet or higher off the ground, watching and listening for movement.
Prey: Small mammals such as mice, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits are the most common food sources. Occasionally, they catch and eat birds up to the size of grouse, fish, crawdads, lizards, and snakes.
What are the nesting and breeding habits of Barred Owls?
Barred Owls nest in pairs and commonly breed and nest in late winter, with courtship happening in January and egg-laying in February and March, depending slightly on where they reside:
Nests: Cavities and platforms are common nesting locations. Barred Owls do not build their own nests; they will take over nests built by hawks, crows, or even squirrels, although they prefer natural tree hollows that are 20 to 40 feet in the air. They do nest in nesting boxes 12 to 20 feet high.
Courtship: Barred Owls are monogamous and generally mate for life, residing in the same territory year-round. The male bobs his head, bowing and raising their wings and swaying along branches while calling.
Eggs: Similar in size to chicken eggs, Barred Owl eggs are white, and there are usually 2 to 3 per clutch.
Incubation: The female stays on the nest almost full-time for about 28 to 33 days while the male hunts and brings her food.
Chick care: The mother takes care of the chicks for the first two weeks. At 4 to 6 weeks, the owlets leave the cavity using their talons and beaks to begin “branching.”
What is the migration and range of Barred Owls?
Barred owls do not migrate but are rather permanent, year-round residents:
Native Range: Mature deciduous and mixed forests across eastern North America.
Western Expansion: Vastly expanded their range westward.
Ecosystem Impact: Threatening Spotted Owls.
What types of noises do they make?
While these owls are silent, when they do speak, they are highly recognizable:
Classic Hoot: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for youuuuu” is the most famous call of the barred owl.
Duets: In the winter months during courtship, mating pairs will communicate with duets, caterwauls, or chattering.
Nesting Calls: Males will call with a rhythmic huff-n-puff when delivering food, while the female responds with a shorter puff. Females will also use a hoo-wah to summon their mate.
Alarms: When threatened, defensive, or startled, Barred Owls can emit loud shrieks. They can also clack or snap their beaks when nervous or squabbling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Barred Owls live?
Barred Owls are found throughout North America, from southern Canada to the northern parts of Mexico (though not widespread in all of northern Mexico). They typically inhabit mature forests, including deciduous, mixed, and coniferous woodlands, as well as some suburban and urban areas.
Can you see Barred Owls during the day?
Barred Owls are primarily nocturnal, but they can occasionally be seen during the day, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
What is the scientific name for the Barred Owl?
The scientific name for the Barred Owl is Strix varia.
How do you tell Barred Owls apart from other owl species?
Barred Owls can be distinguished from other owl species by their distinctive appearance. They have a round face, dark eyes, and a pattern of horizontal barring on their chest and belly. Their wings are broad and rounded, and they have a relatively short, square-shaped tail. Barred Owls are also known for their hooting call, which is a series of deep, resonant “who cooks for you” sounds.
Do Barred Owls fish?
Barred Owls are primarily nocturnal hunters that feed on small mammals, birds, and amphibians. While they are known to occasionally catch fish by wading into shallow water or sitting on branches or logs above shallow water. It is not a significant part of their diet. Did you know that if Barred Owls eat enough crawdads, they turn pinkish?
What is another good resource to learn about Barred Owls?
