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.

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.

Dark-eyed, with a scaled breast and striped belly, the Barred Owl is nearly as large as the Great Horned Owl but with different markings and no ear-tufts. The Great Horned Owl is much more aggressive, and will prey upon other owls if the opportunity arises.

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 a true owl found in eastern North America. They are often referred to as the northern barred owl or the striped owl but sometimes are called the “hoot owl” in an informal manner.

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.

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.

Deep in the forest, where leaves rustle and the night is full of secrets, there’s a beautiful and mysterious bird called the Barred Owl. When the moonlight shines on the woods, this Owl makes enchanting hooting sounds that pique our curiosity. It’s a creature that we don’t always see clearly, leaving a lasting impression in our imagination.

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.