The barred owl (Strix varia), also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North American large species of owl.

The Barred Owl’s hooting call, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” is a classic sound of old forests and treed swamps. But this attractive owl, with soulful brown eyes and brown-and-white-striped plumage, can also pass completely unnoticed as it flies noiselessly through the dense canopy or snoozes on a tree limb.

Barred Owls are large, stocky owls with rounded heads, no ear tufts, and medium length, rounded tails. Smaller than a Great Horned Owl; larger than a Barn Owl. Barred Owls are mottled brown and white overall, with dark brown, almost black, eyes.

Feb 12, 2021 · A large owl of the eastern, central, and, increasingly, northwestern United States, the Barred Owl is one of our more common owl species. As with most owls, the Barred is primarily nocturnal, but it is known to call and hunt during the day.

The rich baritone hooting of the Barred Owl is a characteristic sound in southern swamps, where members of a pair often will call back and forth to each other. Although the bird is mostly active at night, it will also call and even hunt in the daytime.

The Barred Owl is a large, stocky owl with a rounded head and no ear tufts. Its plumage is a mottled brown and white, with distinctive horizontal barring on the chest and vertical streaks on the belly. The facial disc is pale with dark concentric rings around large, dark eyes, and it has a short, hooked yellow bill.

Mar 4, 2025 · The barred owl is an owl species common in eastern North America, the Pacific Northwest and California, southern Mexico, and temperate areas of Canada. The species is largely nonmigratory. Its common name is derived from …

The Barred Owl is widespread in North America, inhabiting most of the eastern half of the continent from Florida north to southern Canada. Along with the Red-shouldered Hawk, it is a characteristic raptor of lowland swamps and forests, but is also found in cooler upland habitat, in the mountains of northern Vermont, for example. This owl has ...

Large owl, mottled brown and white. Rounded head lacks ear tufts. Black eyes. Listen for its instantly recognizable “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all” call. Favors large, mature forests with deciduous and coniferous trees, often near water. Hunts small animals at night; however, is more active during the day than other owls.

Barred owls are cream colored, with a brown “barred” pattern across their backs, wings, and tails. A dark line of feathers outlines their round face. These owls have large eyes, a sharp, hooked beak, and sharp taloned feet. Owls are skilled nocturnal predators.