Barred Owl
Strix varia
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a common owl found in 2 countries, weighing about 711 g. The barred owl, also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North American large species of owl.
About the Barred Owl
The barred owl, also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North American large species of owl. A member of the true owl family, Strigidae, they belong to the genus Strix, which is also the origin of the family's name under Linnaean taxonomy. Barred owls are largely native to eastern North America, but have expanded their range to the west coast of North America where they are considered invasive. Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they can also acclimatise to various gradients of open woodlands. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, but this species is an opportunistic predator and is known to prey upon…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The barred owl is considered somewhat subdued and drab in coloration compared to the sometimes rich coloring of other sympatric owls. Overall, this owl is greyish-brown or brown. The brownish color extends from the head to the back. Barred owls are scalloped with white bars on the mantle and the back, bearing as well some whitish spotting on the wing coverts. Voice: The barred owl is a powerful vocalist, with an array of calls that are considered "spectacular, loud and emphatic". Calls probably carry well over 0.8 km (0.50 mi). Its usual call is a series of eight accented hoots ok-ok-ok-ok ok-ok-buhooh, or the "typical two-phrase hoot" with a downward pitch at the end.
What the Barred Owl sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Barred Owl can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Barred Owl on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Barred Owl?
- The barred owl is considered somewhat subdued and drab in coloration compared to the sometimes rich coloring of other sympatric owls. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Barred Owl?
- The Barred Owl is a large sized bird weighing about 711 g.
- Where can you see a Barred Owl?
- The Barred Owl occurs in 2 countries, including the United States and Canada.
- What does a Barred Owl sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Barred Owl on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Barred Owl?
- The Barred Owl is most easily confused with the Tawny Owl, the Ural Owl and the Mottled Owl.
Learn the Barred Owl for real
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