Barred Owl
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a large woodland owl known for its dark eyes, rounded head, and distinctive call.
Barred Owl Facts
- Markings: Horizontal brown bars cross the upper breast, while long vertical streaks cover the lower breast and belly.
- Size: Adults are approximately 17–20 inches long and have a wingspan of about 42–44 inches.
- Diet: Barred Owls eat rodents, frogs, fish, crayfish, salamanders, insects, and sometimes other birds.
- Call: Their best-known call is often remembered as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”
- Nesting: They usually nest inside a large natural cavity in a living or dead tree.
- Young owls: Before they can fly, young Barred Owls may climb trees using their beaks and talons.
Facts adapted from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.