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The barred owl (Strix varia), also known as northern barred owl or hoot owl, is a true owl native to eastern North America. Adults are large, and are brown to grey with barring on the chest. Barred owls have expanded their range to the west coast of the United States and Canada, where they are considered invasive.
Description[]
Barred Owls are medium-large owls with brown eyes and no ear-tufts. They are gray-brown in color, with light mottling on their backs. Breasts are barred horizontally and bellies vertically, with a clear demarcation between the horizontal and vertical barring. Barred Owls are slightly larger than the closely related, similar-appearing Spotted Owls.
Habitat[]
In much of the country, Barred Owls are associated with large trees in old-growth forests. In Washington, they also use mature second-growth forests. These forests may be coniferous, broad-leaved, or mixed, often with openings from logging. Barred Owls are often found in swampy areas and at elevations higher than those that support Spotted Owls. At times they inhabit city parks and low-density residential areas, especially in winter.
Behavior[]
Barred Owls are most active at night but also call and hunt during the day. They are sit-and-wait predators, sitting quietly on a perch before swooping silently down on unsuspecting prey. Occasionally they also hunt on the wing. Barred Owls have a wide variety of vocalizations and often call back and forth with their mates.
Diet[]
Barred Owls are generalists, preying on small mammals, birds, frogs, and even large invertebrates.
Nesting[]
Barred Owls are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. These bonds are maintained throughout the year, and pairs may defend their territories year-round, though in the eastern part of the state males often leave their territories after the breeding season. Barred Owls nest in natural tree hollows, in old hawk, squirrel and crow's nests, and in artificial nest boxes. They add little or no material to the nest. The female typically incubates 2-3 eggs for 28-33 days, while the male brings her food. Once the young hatch, the female broods for about two weeks, and the male brings food to both the female and the young. At 4-5 weeks, the young leave the nest and venture onto nearby branches. Only then does the female also begin to feed herself and the young. Young Barred Owls begin to take short flights at 10 weeks and longer sustained flights at 12 weeks.