BarredOwl

Barred Owl

Strix varia

Barred Owl Strix varia

This large owl at 20 in. in height and a wingspan of 43 in. favors extensive dense woodlands especially those of flood plains and swampy areas. Often this territory is shared by the Great Horned Owl, a serious predatory threat. A larger and more aggressive bird, it is tough competition for the slightly smaller and less aggressive Barred Owl.

Mostly active at night the Barred Owl will often hunt during the daytime as it feeds on many small mammals, the largest being the size of an opossum, as well as birds, reptiles and amphibians. Usually hunting from a perch it will also hover over its prey in the fields.

Its nest site often occupies the old nests of hawks, crows, or squirrels as well as larger natural hollows in trees.

The expansion of populations moving westward may displace the endangered Spotted Owl as hybrids are known to occur between the two species.

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