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Strix varia
Habitat: Deep moist forests, wooded swamps, and woodlands near waterways.
Diet: Mice, voles, rats, squirrels, shrews, bats, moles, small birds, and frogs.
Reproduction: Barred Owls mate for life. They nest in tree cavities, empty hawk nests, crow nests, or squirrel nests. A clutch of usually two to three eggs (range is from 1 to 5) will be laid in the nest; the female incubates the eggs for 28-33 days. While the female incubates eggs the male will hunt for her. Barred owls are capable of breeding at about 2 years of age.
Physical Description: Barred owls are large owls with a grey-white facial disc and a round head. These owls have grey brown feathers with cream edges and “subterminal bars.” Barred owls have large brown eyes, and do not have ear tufts. They have slanting bars on their neck and upper breast. The belly features brown vertical striping.
Behavior: Barred owls mate for life and establish territories and nest sites that are maintained for many years. They care for the young for at least 4 months. The young often fledge and settle in their own area usually less than 6 miles away from their parents.
Conservation Status: Common
Fun Facts:
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Barred Owls live alone most of the year until breeding season |
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Barred owl feathers have been known to turn pink from consumption of an abundance of crayfish. |
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When frightened, they will hold one wing out from their body and tuck the other in close. This can confuse predators into thinking they are a mammal and hopefully they will get left alone.
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