Barred Owl
Strix varia

 

 

 

Education birds representing this species: Juno - this species is also represented on the Exhibit Trail

Interesting Facts:

• Call resembles "who cook for you... who cook for you all..."
• All owls have feathers on their feet and it seems it serves many purposes - see June 5th update for details.

Physical Dimensions:

• wing span ~3.5 feet
• weight ~1-2.5 pounds

Prey

• small mammals
• rabbits
• birds
• amphibians
• reptiles
• invertebrates (crayfish)

Hunting Techniques:

• Flies low over ground at night to see/hear prey and then surprises them
• Wades in water to catch crayfish

Range:

• Southern Canada, east of Great Plaines (disjunct populations in southern Mexico)
• Prefers large blocks of forested areas (swamps, rivers, uplands)

Color:

• no sexual dimorphism (when males and females differ in coloring). Sexual dimorphism is unusual in raptors.

Reproduction:

• Builds nests in cavities, or uses nests of hawks and crows
• 1-5 eggs

Conservation:

• No conservation issues.