Owls (Strigidae)
Barred Owl
Strix varia. Small mammals, birds, amphibians and crayfish, hunted at night.
Owls (Strigidae)Barred OwlStrix varia
- Scientific name
- Strix varia
- Length
- 16.9–19.7 in
- Weight
- 16.6–37 oz
- Nest
- Natural tree cavity or old hawk nest; accepts large nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- 7–8 in
- Clutch
- 1–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 28–33 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Round head with dark eyes and no ear tufts
- Horizontal barring on the chest, vertical streaks on the belly
- Mottled brown-grey overall
Voice
The classic 'Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?' hoot.
Diet and feeding
Small mammals, birds, amphibians and crayfish, hunted at night.
Barred Owls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | May |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | January–May |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Florida | Year-round resident | May |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | May |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | May |
| Maine | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | May |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | January–May |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | February–May |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | February–May |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | January–May |
| New York | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | February–May |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | February–May |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | May |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Texas | Year-round resident | May |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | January–May |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | February–May |
Frequently asked
What do barred owls eat?
Small mammals, birds, amphibians and crayfish, hunted at night. At feeders: none — hunts live prey after dark.
How big is a Barred Owl?
16.9–19.7 in long and 16.6–37 oz.
Do barred owls use birdhouses?
Yes — a 7–8 in entrance, 13 × 13 in floor, mounted 12–20 ft.
Sources
- Barred Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barred Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barred Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.