Birds nocturnal

Barred Owl

Strix varia

With their soulful dark eyes and rhythmic 'Who cooks for you?' call, the Barred Owl is the quintessential voice of the deep woods. These masterful hunters are surprisingly comfortable in suburban backyards, offering a magical glimpse into the secret life of nocturnal raptors.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 17–20 in (43–50 cm); Wingspan: 39–43 in (99–110 cm); Weight: 1.1–2.3 lbs (500–1050 g)

palette

Colors

Mottled brown and white plumage with distinct horizontal bars on the chest and vertical brown streaks on the belly. They are unique for their dark, soulful liquid-brown eyes.

visibility

Key Features

Dark brown eyes (most other owls have yellow)
Horizontal bars on neck and chest
Vertical brown streaks on the belly
Large round head with no ear tufts

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern nocturnal

brightness_5

Peak hours Sunset to 2 AM, occasionally active during cloudy afternoons

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet An opportunistic generalist that primarily hunts small mammals like voles, mice, and squirrels, but also frequently consumes frogs, crayfish, snakes, and even smaller birds.

park

Habitat Prefers mature deciduous or mixed forests, often near water sources like swamps or streams, but frequently inhabits older suburban neighborhoods with large tree canopies.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The Barred Owl is one of the most vocal and charismatic raptors you will encounter in North America. Known for its iconic 'Who cooks for you?' hoot, this species is highly territorial and often remains with the same mate in the same territory for life. While they are primarily masters of the night, they are more prone to daytime activity than many other owls, particularly during the nesting season or on dark, overcast afternoons when they can be seen perched on low branches scanning the ground for movement.

Socially, Barred Owls are famous for their 'monkey-call' duets—a series of wild squawks, hoots, and cackles that pairs use to reinforce their bond and warn off intruders. They are sit-and-wait predators, using their incredible hearing to locate prey beneath leaves or even under snow. Despite their wild reputation, they have become remarkably successful at adapting to suburban environments, often living in close proximity to humans as long as there are enough large trees to provide nesting cavities.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture a Barred Owl on a trail camera, you need to think vertically. These owls spend very little time on the forest floor unless they are striking prey or bathing. For the best results, mount your camera 6 to 10 feet up a tree trunk using a secure strap or a screw-in mount, and angle it slightly downward toward a likely 'lookout branch.' These owls prefer horizontal, unobstructed branches that are 10 to 15 feet off the ground for hunting. If you can identify a branch with fresh whitewash (bird droppings) or owl pellets underneath, that is your primary target location.

Because Barred Owls are masters of silent flight, they may not always trigger cameras with slow PIR sensors. Set your camera to its highest motion sensitivity and use 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' settings. This ensures that even if the owl just glides through the frame, you catch at least one clear image. A 'No-Glow' or 'Black IR' flash is non-negotiable; standard red-glow LEDs can sometimes startle owls or cause them to avoid the area in the future, whereas invisible infrared will let you capture their natural behavior without detection.

Water is the ultimate natural lure for this species. Barred Owls are frequent bathers and enjoy 'fishing' for frogs and crayfish in shallow water. If you have a backyard pond or a slow-moving creek, place your camera on the bank facing a shallow edge or a flat rock. During the late winter and early spring (February through April), they are at their most active as they defend territories and hunt for their broods. During these months, setting your camera to record longer video clips (20-30 seconds) can capture their haunting vocalizations, which are just as rewarding as the visuals.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Barred Owl.

Great Horned Owl

Much larger with bright yellow eyes and prominent feathery ear tufts on the head.

Spotted Owl

Smaller with white spots on the chest and belly rather than the Barred Owl's vertical streaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barred Owls are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active between dusk and dawn. However, they are more likely than many other owl species to be seen hunting during the day, especially in the late afternoon or on cloudy days during the nesting season when they have extra mouths to feed.

The best way to attract Barred Owls is to maintain large, mature trees and provide a clean water source, such as a large birdbath or pond. Avoid using rodenticides, as these can poison the owls when they consume the affected rodents. You can also install a large owl-specific nesting box 15-30 feet high in a tree to provide a home for a breeding pair.

They have a very diverse diet. While they mainly eat small rodents like meadow voles and mice, they are opportunistic and will hunt squirrels, rabbits, birds, amphibians, and even large insects or crayfish found in nearby wetlands.

Yes, Barred Owls are increasingly common in suburban areas that feature mature trees and greenbelts. They are quite adaptable and can thrive in human-influenced landscapes as long as there is sufficient prey and nesting cavities available.

Barred Owls have dark, brownish-black eyes and a smooth, round head with no 'ears' or tufts. Great Horned Owls are larger, have bright yellow eyes, and prominent feathery ear tufts. Additionally, Barred Owls have vertical streaks on their belly, whereas Great Horned Owls have fine horizontal barring across their entire chest.

Record Barred Owl at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo