Barred Owl

Barred Owl. Strix varia. , Characteristics: The Barred Owl is a large North American Owl with a round head and dark eyes. They are named for the pattern on their plumage which is a cream color with brown barring. This color pattern allows the Barred Owl to roos in thick foliage without being detected., Habitat: Widely distributed throughout the Eastern US and into the Pacific Northwest. The Barred Owl inhabits both Broadleaf and Coniferous forests and prefer old growth trees that are wide enough for them to make a nest., Diet: Barred Owls are a very opportunistic predator. Their primary prey consists of small rodents such as voles, mice and shrews. They are also known to occasionally take larger mammals such as squirrels and rabbits. They will also take small birds or lizards. Barred Owls are indiscriminate predators and will prey upon anything they can catch., Range: Eastern U.S. through Pacific Northwest., Stats:

Life Span: 10 years (wild), 25 years (captivity). , Size: Body length 22 inches - Wingspan 45 inches. , Weight: 1 to 2.5 lbs. , Reproduction: Barred Owls will nest in tree cavities or abandoned nests of Hawks, Eagles, other Owls or Squirrels. The female will incubate 2-4 eggs for approximately 28 days.

, Did You Know? , The Barred Owl is expanding its range westward. As logging in the Pacific Northwest destroys old growth Timber forests the resultant 2nd and 3rd growth forests provide the perfect nesting habitat for Barred Owls. The Threatened Spotted Owl will not nest in 2nd or 3rd growth forests so the Barred Owl is moving into areas that it historically never inhabited.