General

Barred Owl: Medium-sized, large-headed owl with large, brown eyes, concentric rings around pale face, and no ear tufts. Upperparts are brown with white markings. Underparts are white with dark bars on breast and dark streaks on belly. Heavily streaked, spotted, and variegated brown, white, and buff overall. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Barred Owl: Widespread in the eastern half of North America; spreading westward in the northern portion of range, already occurring in Washington State, is causing concern that competition and hybridization may impact populations of endangered Spotted Owls. Preferred habitats include deep, moist forests, wooded swamps, and woodlands near waterways.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

Clear-voiced, hooting/barking hoo hoo ho-ho, hoo hoo ho-hoooooaw.

Interesting Facts

 The Barred Owl has brown eyes, not yellow as seen in most other owl species.
 
 A Sparred Owl is the result of a Barred Owl mating with its smaller cousin, the Spotted Owl.
 
 Some Barred Owls have pink belly feathers, perhaps from a diet rich in crayfish.
 
 A group of owls has many collective nouns, including "a bazaar of owls", "a glaring of owls", "a parliament of owls", "a stooping of owls", and a "wisdom of owls."

Author

Gary Owen Dick