Barred Owl (Strix varia)

The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a large owl native to North America. Best known as the hoot owl for its distinctive call, it goes by many other names, including eight hooter, rain owl, wood owl, and striped owl.

Barred Owls are large, stocky owls with rounded heads, no ear tufts, and medium length, rounded tails. Barred Owls are mottled brown and white overall, with dark brown, almost black, eyes. The underparts are mostly marked with vertical brown bars on a white background, while the upper breast is crossed with horizontal brown bars. The wings and tail are barred brown and white. They are very large, up to 20 inches tall, with a wingspan of almost four feet.

The Barred Owl is the only owl of the eastern United States which has brown eyes, all others have yellow eyes.

Barred Owls live year-round in mixed forests of large trees, often near water. They tend to occur in large, unfragmented blocks of mature forest, possibly because old woodlands support a higher diversity of prey and are more likely to have large cavities suitable for nesting.

Barred Owls don't migrate, and they don't even move around very much. In one study of 158 birds that were banded and then found later, none had moved farther than 6 miles away.

Barred Owls eat a large variety of prey, including: mice, voles, shrews, moles, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, opossums, bats, birds (including smaller owls), frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, crayfish, insects, slugs, and fish.

In Florida, the Barred Owl normally breeds from late January to March.

Barred Owls usually nest in a natural cavity, 20 - 40 feet high in a large tree. They may also use stick platform nests built by other animals, including hawks, crows, ravens, and squirrels. Pairs mate for life, raising one brood each year. These birds lay two to four eggs, and the female will sit on them for about a month, while the male hunts. Once baby owls are born, the male will continue to hunt, bringing the mother and the babies food. At first, he will regurgitate food for the young; later he will feed them whole prey. Young owls eat the same foods as adults. Young owls are ready to fly in about six weeks, but sometimes they don't leave their parents for six months.

Barred Owls roost on branches and in tree cavities during the day and hunt by night. Territorial all year round, they chase away intruders while hooting loudly. They are even more aggressive during nesting season (particularly the females), sometimes striking intruders with their feet.

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Florida Wildlife and Nature Photography

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