The Barred owl (Strix varia) is a North American large species of owl. These are large nocturnal birds probably best known for their unique vocalizations that carry well over 0.8 km (0.50 mi). They have typical nesting habits for a true owl and raise a relatively small brood often in a tree hollow or snag in forested areas.
Barred owls are brown to gray overall with dark striping on the underside contrasted immediately above that with similarly dark and tight barring about their throat and nape. Their head is fairly large and rounded with no ear tufts. The bill is pale straw-yellow (occasionally showing a mild greenish tint) while the cere is “horn”-colored. Their soulful eyes are blackish-brown in color. Like most birds of prey, females in this species are larger than males.
Barred owls are found throughout most of the eastern United States, as well as much of southern Canada and Mexico. They live in old deciduous, mixed forests and, occasionally, coniferous forests. Barred owls can also be found in deep moist forests, semi-open wooded areas, oak savanna or cabbage-palm areas, riparian areas or swampy ground, agricultural fields, wetlands, open terrain, and large parks with old trees.
