Barred Owl

Barred Owl adult

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A large owl of extensive woodlands, the Barred Owl is familiar for its distinctive "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all" hooting.

Description

• Large owl.
• Head round with no ear tufts.
• Eyes dark.
• Underparts whitish with dark streaks.

• Size: 43-50 cm (17-20 in)
• Wingspan: 99-110 cm (39-43 in)
• Weight: 470-1050 g (16.59-37.07 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike in plumage, female larger.

Sound

Resonant series of eight or nine hoots, "hoo-hoo-to-hoo, hoo-hoo-to-hoo-aw." Also raucous jumble of cackles, hoots, caws, and gurgles.

Conservation Status

Most populations increasing.

Other Names

Chouette rayée (French)
Búhu listado (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The belly feathers of some Barred Owls are pink. This coloring may be the result of eating a lot of crayfish.

• Barred Owl populations have expanded westward in the last century. The more aggressive Barred Owl may displace the endangered Spotted Owl. Hybrids of the two species are also known.

• Great Horned Owl is the most serious predatory threat to the Barred Owl. Although they often live in the same areas, the Barred Owl will avoid parts of its territory occupied by a Great Horned Owl.

Sources used to construct this page:

Mazur, K. M., and P. C. James. 2000. Barred Owl (Strix varia). In The Birds of North America, No. 508 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.