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Barred Owl


Picture
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is 17 to 24 inches in length.  It has a large, rounded head, dark eyes, horizontal barring on the upper breast and the underparts are streaked with vertical lines.  The upperparts are brown with heavy white spotting, and the tail is long and barred.

The song of the Barred Owl is usually 8 or more long, drawn out notes that sound like, Who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all.  The call is a drawn out hooAwlll.  A group of Barred Owls can sometimes be heard vocalizing together.

The Barred Owl is mostly nocturnal, but can be active during the day.  It prefers deep woods in conifer, moist, and swampy habitats.  This bird has a varied diet and feeds on small mammals, birds, frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, fish, large insects, crabs, and crawfish.  It is considered very common to common and widespread.
Click here for a range map and for additional information.
Click the player below to hear Barred Owl vocalizations.